Labial and Mental Foramina of the Mandible: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study

¹Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mansoura University, Egypt
²Department of Dentistry, Zagazig University, Egypt

*Corresponding Author: Hamdy A Marzook, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Received: October 28, 2019
Published: November 16, 2019

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Surgical complications in the anterior mandible had been reported. These complications increase the interest into the content and the vascularity of the area. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used for investigating bony structures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical features of labial and mental foramina.

Methods: Foramina on the outer surface of the anterior mandible were evaluated in coronal, sagittal, and axial planes of 104 CBCT scans.

Results: Other than mental foramina, 184 foramina were observed in the labial surface of the mandible. The incidence of the labial foramina was 60.58%. Bilateral and unilateral accessory mental foramina were found in 28.85% of cases.

Conclusion: Mandibular labial foramina are frequently seen in CBCT. Wide variations were seen in different neurovascular anatomical landmarks in the anterior mandible including accessory mental foramina. These findings should be considered when planning for anesthesia and surgery in this region.

KEYWORDS: Accessory mental foramen; Anatomical landmarks; Cone beam computed tomography; Labial foramina; Mental foramen