Position of the mental foramen in a northern regional Jordanian population

Background The mental foramen is frequently encountered in a number of maxillofacial surgical procedures. Its position has been shown to vary according to race. The aim was to study the position, shape, and appearance of the mental foramen, as seen on panoramic radiographs of Jordanians, and to compare our findings with international values. Patients and methods Panoramic radiographs were randomly selected from the records of dental patients attending three dental services, and were analyzed according to patients' age and gender, and the mental foramina's anterior-posterior and superior-inferior positions, shape, appearance, and symmetry. Results There were 860 cases (1,720 sides) with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1.4, and mean age of 24. The most frequent anterior-posterior position was in the area between the long axes of first and second mandibular premolar teeth. With advancing age, there was an increase in the frequency of more posterior positioning. The anterior-posterior position was asymmetrical in 33% of cases. The most frequent superior-inferior position was below the level of apices of mandibular premolar teeth roots. With advancing age there was an increase in the frequency of more inferior positioning. The superior-inferior position was asymmetrical in 14% of cases. The majority of foramina were round in shape, and the most frequent appearance was the continuous type. Accessory mental foramina were seen in 10% of the cases. Conclusion The position of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs in this selected group of Jordanians is most commonly below and between the mandibular premolar teeth, and the most frequent appearance was the continuous type. These results are similar to previous findings in Caucasian populations.