Anatomic Characteristics of Mental Foramen and Anterior Loop of Mandibular Canal in a population of South IRAN : a cone-beam computed tomography study

Introduction: Regarding the anatomic variety in the anterior mandible it is necessary to obtain adequate information about the vital structures in this area to protect them in dental surgeries and preventing injuries that might occur afterwards. The aim of this study is to describe anatomic characteristics of mental foramen and anterior loop on CBCT images.  Materials and Methods: On CBCT images of 326 hemimandibles, opening angle of mental foramen, vertical distance from mental foramen to the mandibular inferior border, location of mental foramen in relation to nearby teeth and the length of the anterior loop were measured. Results: Anterior loop was present in 52.1% of hemimandibles. The mean exit angle of mental foramen was 42.72±10.82 degrees. The highest frequency of the location of mental foreman with respect to the adjacent teeth was between the first and second premolar and the lowest frequency was between canine and the first premolar as well as between the second premolar and the first molar. The mean distance from mental foreman to the mandibular lower border was 15±5.85 millimeters. The mean length of the anterior loop was estimated to be 3.92±1.17 millimeters. Conclusion: Regarding variations in anatomic characteristics of mental foramen and anterior loop, precise examinations of these vital structures are necessary to protect them during surgical procedures of mandible.