Position of the mental foramen in a Moroccan population: A radiographic study

PURPOSE This study was performed to determine the position of the mental foramen relative to the apices of the teeth based on panoramic radiographs in a Moroccan population. We also analyzed gender differences and the symmetry of location within individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven hundred ninety-four panoramic radiographs were evaluated with regard to the location and symmetry of the mental foramina in male and female subjects. The results were analyzed using Pearson's χ(2) and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Of the 794 panoramic radiographs, 377 met the inclusion criteria for at least one side. The mental foramen was located just below the apex of the second premolar in 62.7% of the patients and between the first and second premolars in 30%. It was symmetrically located in 79%. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females in the position and symmetry of the mental foramen. CONCLUSION The most common position for the mental foramen in this sample was in line with the second premolar.