Foramina of the anterior mandible in dentate and edentulous mandibles

Abstract

The study provides a morphometric analysis of the foramina located at the anterior mandible according to dental status. The inner surface from the midline to the distal border of the second premolars of 70 dentate and 27 edentulous Greek adult dry mandibles was investigated. The lingual foramina were divided into medial and lateral foramina. Foramina located at the alveolar process and the midline were subdivided according to their location to genial tubercles. Moreover, the height of the mandible in the genial symphysis and the distances from the foramina to the alveolar crest and the lower border of the mandible were measured. Medial and lateral lingual foramina were presented in 97.9% and 78.4% of the mandibles, respectively. The alveolar medial and lateral lingual foramina were detected in 19.6% and 27.3%, respectively. The mean height of the genial symphysis was 32.06 ± ± 4.88 mm for the dentate and 23.87± 5.37 mm for the edentulous mandibles. The meticulous knowledge of the topography of the lingual foramina and their content is of paramount importance for dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons during dental implants placement. Middle and lateral lingual foramina are constant structures, while the alveolar foramina presented only in dentate mandibles. The foramina location is directly affected by dental status. The morphology of edentulous mandibles increases the risk of intraoperative complications at the anterior mandible.