Comparative Evaluation of Anatomical and Radiographic Location of Mandibular Foramen, Mandibular Canal and Mental Foramen: A Cadaveric Study of Adult Mandibles of Indian Ethnic Origin

Objective: The knowledge of the precise position of the anatomical landmarks will aid the surgeon in carrying out surgical procedures like bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, C osteotomy, inverted L osteotomy, vertical sub sigmoid osteotomy, removal of impacted mandibular third molar, osteosynthesis procedure, genioplasty, dental implant, and surgical endodontic procedures on the mandible without causing vascular and neurological complications. Material & Methods: Thirty dry adult human mandibles of Indian ethnic origin were examined. The anatomical and radiological locations of mandibular foramen, mandibular canal and mental foramen on each side of the mandible were measured in relation to the standardized anatomical and radiological reference points and were statistically evaluated with the help of the mean, standard deviation, co-relation, co-efficient and chi square test to justify the significance between the anatomical and radiological findings. Conclusion: The mandibular foramen was found to be 2.90 mm posterior to the middle of the ramus and 2.12 mm superior to the mid point of ramus and nearer to the sigmoid notch in Indian population. The mental foramen was observed to be nearer to the alveolar crest in the right half of mandible and at mid point in the left half. There was a good and significant linear correlation between the anatomical and radiological measurements of the position of mandibular foramen, mandibular canal and mental foramen.