Determination of the level and location of the mental foramina among patients attending Kulliyyah of Dentistry using panoramic radiograph

• Main Authors: Idris, Rostam Iffendi, Ahmad Bustami, Khairunnisa, Mustafa, Naziyah Shaban
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: KOD, IIUM 2022
• Subjects: RK Dentistry
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/107829/1/107829_Determination%20of%20the%20level%20and%20location.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107829/; https://www.iium.edu.my/media/85197/Compendium%20of%20Dental%20Sciences%20Research.pdf
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

The mandibular canal is a canal within the mandible that is beginning in mandibular foramen on the medial surface of the ascending mandibular ramus. It runs obliquely downward and forward in the ramus, and then horizontally forward in the body till mental foramen. It carries inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. Generally, the mental foramen is difficult to locate due to lack of consistent anatomic landmarks for reference and the foramen cannot be clinically visualized or palpated. As a result, variable anatomical positions of the foramen have been described. Most studies and textbooks describe the location of the mental foramen as below and between the apices of the first and second premolar or as being below the apex of the second premolar. However, individual variation could place the mental foramen anywhere from below the canine to between the roots of the first molar. When the mandibular teeth are lost, the alveolar bone that housed them resorbs in a varying degree. The good knowledge on the location of the mandibular canal, mental foramen and a preoperative evaluation of the true relationship between the roots of the mandibular third molar and the inferior alveolar nerve, mental foramen and lower premolars would help in predicting, and possibly avoiding, sensory impairment during any surgical procedure in the area. This study was aimed to determine the level and location of the mental foramina in patients attending Kulliyyah of Dentistry (Malays and Chinese) compared to standard anatomical level by assessing panoramic radiograph results.