Abstract

Objectives: Mandibular foramen (MF) is an anatomical landmark for inferior alveolar nerve block and many surgical procedures like sagittal split osteotomies. Sagittal split osteotomies are done to reposition the mandible in prognathism and retroganthism. Variations in the position of mandibular foramen and the presence of accessory mandibular foramina are the main reasons accounting for the failure rate of this technique. The present study will be designed to determine variations in mandibular foramen using cone beam tomography in Egyptian population.

Method: 300 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were grouped according to sex, and symmetry between right and left sides into two groups. Group I: males& female and group II: right & left sides. Panoramic images were reconstructed from cone beam computed tomography scans and evaluated using Blue sky software. The exact location of mandibular foramen at the two sides of the mandible was determined in relation to anterior border &posterior border of ramus, mandibular base, and mandibular notch. The recorded data will be collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).

Results: This study showed bilateral asymmetry between right and left sides, no significant difference between 2 sides of the mandible. There was high significant difference in the distance from MF to mandibular base between males and females. No significant difference in other parameters relative to vertical and horizontal dimensions of mandibular ramus.

Conclusions: All parameters related to the position of mandibular foramen in vertical and horizontal dimensions of mandibular ramus (MF-MB, (MF-MN), (PB-MF), and (AB-MF) were symmetrical in the right and left sides. The distance from mandibular foramen to mandibular base (MF-MB) was significantly different between males and females.