Prevalence of the anatomical characteristics of the anterior loop in inferior alveolar nerve and mental foramen evaluated using cone beam computed tomography in patients of Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the size, shape and location of the mental foramen (MF) and anterior loop (AL) in the Brazilian population through the analysis of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiography (PR). Method: We analyzed the location, shape and size of the MF, the distance between the upper wall of the MF and the alveolar crest (AC), the size of the AL and the presence of lingual anastomosis. Results: Fifty PR and CBCT exams were analyzed. In relation to the MF, the most common location was between premolars (56%), the most common shape was the oval shape (83%) and the average size in the PR was 3.63 mm and in the CBCT was3.66 mm. The average distance from the MF to the AC in the PR was 17.29 mm and in the CBCT was 11.48 mm. The average AL size was 3 mm, the smallest being 1 mm and the largest being 5 mm. Static analysis was performed to verify the relationship between the distance from the foramen to the AC with the values that were found in the PR and CBCT, which showed a statistically significant difference (p=<0.001) between them. Lingual anastomosis could be seen in 22% of the analyzed hemimandibles. Conclusion: CBCT is a reliable diagnostic test for planning rehabilitation near the MF. The distance between the implant and the foramen must be analyzed individually.

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Frequency of accessory mental foramen and anatomical variability of mental nerve anterior loop in a Peruvian population: A retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study.

Journal Of Oral Research ◽

10.17126/joralres.2020.037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 202-211

Author(s):

José Heberth Tofiño-Medina ◽

◽

Luis Ernesto Arriola-Guillén ◽

Yalil Augusto Rodríguez-Cárdenas ◽

Aron Aliaga-Del Castillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Cone Beam Computed Tomography ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Mental Foramen ◽

Cone Beam ◽

Anatomical Landmarks ◽

Mental Nerve ◽

Anterior Border ◽

Accessory Mental Foramen ◽

Anterior Loop

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of accessory mental foramen (AMF) and anatomical variants of the mental nerve anterior loop using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Peruvian population. Material and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 80 hemi-mandibles from 40 subjects using CBCT. The sample included 38 females and 42 males, with an average age of 25±4.45 years. A 3D multi-planar reconstruction was performed to identify the location and presence of accessory mental foramina, their morphological characteristics (oval or circular), their position with respect to the mental foramen (MF), anterior loop (AL) path and other anatomical landmarks including lengths and angles. Statistical analyses included chi square and t-tests. The significance level was p<0.05. Results: The frequency of AMF was 17% and the average distance AL-MF was 4.76±1.97mm. The measurements of the anterior border of AL and MF to the inferior mandibular border showed significant differences according to the sex (p<0.001 and p=0.009, respectively). Conclusion: The AMF prevalence was approximately 17%. There is no association between the AMF position and its morphology, sex or side evaluated. The distances from the anterior border of the AL and from the inferior border of the MF to the inferior mandibular border were greater in males. These findings should be considered when planning implant or mini-implant placement in this region.

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