Evaluation of localisation of mandibular foramen in patients with mandibular third molar teeth using cone-beam computed tomography

Background: It is important to know the correct anatomical location of the mandibular foramen to obtain successful anaesthesia of inferior alveolar nerve and to prevent injury to the mandibular vessels and nerve, during a variety of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate localisation of the mandibular foramen in patients with the third molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Cone-beam computed tomography was used to determine the location of the mandibular foramen in 67 patients (totally 99 sides) with unilateral or bilateral impacted mandibular third molars. Results: The distance from the posterior border of the mandibular ramus to mandibular foramen did not differ significantly among the other angulations. But the difference between vertical and horizontal angulation of the impactedmandibular third molars according to ‘fd’ values (the shortest distance between mandibular foramen and the posterior border of mandibular ramus) was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study provides new information to the literature concerning relationship between the location of the mandibular foramen and the mandibular third molars