Accessory mental foramen assessment using cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to assess the accessory mental foramen using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

STUDY

DESIGN

A total of 157 patients were enrolled in this investigation. The mental and accessory mental foramina, which show continuity with the mandibular canal, were assessed using axial and cross-sectional, 2-dimensional CBCT images. The sizes of the mental and accessory mental foramina were measured and statistically analyzed. Also, the distance between the mental and accessory mental foramina was measured.

RESULTS

The accessory mental foramen was observed in 7% of patients. There was no significant difference regarding the sizes of the mental foramen between accessory mental foramen presence and absence. Also, the mean distance between the mental and accessory mental foramina was 6.3 mm (SD: 1.5 mm).

CONCLUSION

The accessory mental foramen, which shows continuity with the mandibular canal, could be observed in 7% of the subjects using CBCT.