Age-related variations in the location of the mental foramen: a retrospective panoramic radiographic study in children
Authors
Zahra Gholam Taqanaki, Maryam Tofangchiha, Melina Targholi, Zeinab Tadayon, Mehdi Ranjbaran, Mona Sohrabi, Aida Mokhlesi, Luca Testarelli, Dario Di Nardo
Abstract
Objective: The mental foramen is a crucial anatomical feature within the mandible, facilitating nerve pathways that enable the sensation of teeth and lips. Its precise location is essential for the efficacy of infiltration injections and for minimizing potential injury during dental interventions. Panoramic radiography is frequently employed to evaluate oral structures in pediatric patients. This study sought to determine the vertical and horizontal positions of the mental foramen in children aged 4 to 18 years, utilizing panoramic radiographs.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 283 panoramic radiographs was conducted, dividing subjects into age groups of 4–6, 6–12, and 12–18 years. The horizontal and vertical positions of the mental foramen were evaluated relative to primary and permanent dentition and the mandibular body utilizing SCANORA Lite software. Differences based on age and gender were assessed using Fisher's exact test and Chi-square tests, with a significance level established at P<0.05.
Results: The most frequent horizontal location was at the distal root of the first primary molar and between the first and second premolars. Vertically, the mental foramen was most commonly located in the middle third of the mandibular body, with its frequency increasing with age. No significant differences in vertical position were found across age groups (p=0.074). A significant difference was noted between boys and girls in the horizontal location relative to permanent teeth (p=0.044), but no significant gender differences were observed for primary teeth or vertical location.
Conclusion: The horizontal position of the mental foramen shifts distally with age, whilst the vertical position predominantly remains within the middle third of the mandible. These age-related alterations underscore the necessity for further research involving larger sample sizes to substantiate the findings.
PDF
