Assessment of Location of Mental Foramen in Mandible Using Cone Beam Computerized Tomography

Objective: To determine the mean distance of mental foramen from the base of the mandible and mandibular symphysis in patients reporting to tertiary care center using Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT). Study design and setting: Cross-Sectional Study was carried out in the Prosthodontics Department, Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad from March 2019 to August 2019. Methodology: Total 100 patients between the age of 20-45 years were participated. CBCT investigation was carried out and measurements of mental foramen from the base of the mandible and mandibular symphysis in patients were recorded with the help of measuring tools in the software and noted down on the performa. SPSS version 20 was used analyze the data. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. . Frequency and percentages were calculated for variable gender (qualitative). For quantitative variables like age, distance mental foramen from the mandibular Symphysis and inferior border of mandible, mean + SD were calculated. Independent samples t-test was used to compare quantitative variables like distance MF from the mandibular symphysis/midline and inferior border of mandible. P values < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The Mean+SD distance of anterior border of mental foramen from symphysis on left and right side were 24.12+2.835 and 24.88+2.637 and from the lower border of mandible were 11.97+1.359 and 12.00+1.764 respectively. Conclusion: The mean vertical and horizontal distances calculated in this study can provide a useful guide to dentist to safely place dental implants within the inter-foraminal region in our population