Anatomical variations of mental foramen in adult human mandibles

Aim: To determine the morphological features of mental foramen in population to provide guidelines for forensic scientists and dentists. Methods: 50 adult male and female human mandibles were obtained. Size, incidence, shape,location and number of mental foramina were recorded. Incidence of accessory mental foramina was also noticed. Distance from anatomical landmarks and size was recorded using vernier caliper. Results: Shape of mental foramen was oval in 6% of mandibles and rounded in 94% on the right side and on left it was oval in 13% of mandibles and rounded in 87%. The average size of mental foramen was 2.79 mm on right side and 2.7 mm on the left side. Mental foramen was most commonly found below the apex of second premolar tooth i.e. in 70% of the mandibles. The mean distances of mental foramina from upper border were 1.3 cm and 1.2 cm and from lower border were 1.4cm and 1.5 cm on right and left sides respectively. The average distances from symphysis menti were 2.9cm and 3 cm and 7.2cm and 7.3cm from posterior margin of ramus of mandible on the right and left sides respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive knowledge of the mental foramen and it’s variations in different population is essential for dental surgeons, anesthetists, anatomists and forensic scientists. Keywords: Mental Foramen, Vernier Caliper, mandibula