Anatomic Relationship between Mental Foramen and Peripheral Structures Observed By Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

The mental foramen (MF) is a funnel-like opening located on the lateral aspect of the mandible. It is an important anatomical landmark through which the inferior alveolar nerve and vessel bundles pass. Once the nerve leaves the MF, it branches to innervate the anterior teeth and neighboring structures. The blood vessels supply the soft tissues of the lower jaw. Surgeons must establish the position of the MF accurately because any invasive procedure performed in this oral and maxillofacial region may damage the neurovascular bundles and cause serious sequelae, such as labiomandibular paresthesia or anesthesia [1,2]. Knowledge of the precise position of the MF would also facilitate a mental nerve block.