A Radiological Study Concerning the Anterior Loop of the Mandibular Canal and the Location of the Mental Foramen in a Greek Population

The mental foramen can be found in various locations, ranging from the root of the first lower premolar to the roots of the first molar. The anterior loop is described as the mental canal, which rises from the mandibular canal and runs outward, upward, and backward to open at the mental foramen. The knowledge of the location of the mental foramen and the existence of an anterior loop is important for successful administration of local anaesthesia, for surgical (including implantology), operative or diagnostic purposes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the radiographic appearance of the position of the mental foramen and the presence of an anterior loop of the mandibular canal in a Greek population. 1000 panoramic radiographs of Greek adult patients were interpreted. The course of the mandibular canal and the position of the mental foramen were evaluated. The most frequent position of the mental foramen was under the second lower premolar (52.9%), followed by the one between premolars (32.3%). An anterior loop of the mandibular canal was present in 29.8% of the radiographs observed. The anterior loop demands attention during pre-surgical evaluation for implant placement. Our results are in agreement with the results of similar studies of other ethnic groups.