DefinePK

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the frequency of accessory mental foramen using CBCT in the local population.
METHODOLOGY
The cross-sectional descriptive study; Periodontology Department, Institute of Dentistry, CMH Medical and Dental College, Lahore. Patients reporting to the outpatient department for routine dental treatment that required a CBCT assessment were sought. Adult dentate subjects with at least mandibular canine to first molar teeth present bilaterally were selected. Volumetric data from CBCT scans was used to reconstruct mandibular images. Mental foramen was identified as the largest opening on the mandibular buccal surface. Any additional buccal opening in the proximity of the mental foramen was recognized as an accessory foramen. The location of the accessory foramen concerning the mental foramen and its diameter was noted. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24. Descriptive statistics were evaluated. Effect modifiers were controlled through stratification, and a post-stratification chi-square test was used. An Independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean foramen diameter between males and females. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTSAccessory mental foramen was observed in only 5.5% of subjects. The most frequent location of accessory mental foramen to mental foramen was "postero-inferior", seen in 3% of cases. No significant difference in the incidence of accessory mental foramen was seen between males and females (p=0.733).
CONCLUSION
Results of this study suggest it is quite possible to encounter an accessory mental foramen during dental procedures in the Pakistan population. It is a rare but significant anatomical variation. Care must be taken to identify such structures during the treatment planning phase of dental surgical procedures.