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Precise computer-based localization of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs in a Kurdish population

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Abstract

Objectives

To develop and characterize a computer-based application to locate the position of the mental foramen (MF) on orthopantomograms of both dentulous and edentulous patients.

Methods

Panoramic radiographs were analyzed using the computer programs Photoshop and AutoCAD to locate the MF in the horizontal and vertical planes in 110 dentulous patients and in the superior/inferior planes of 50 completely edentulous patients.

Results

In the dentulous population (n = 110), the anteroposterior position of the MF was primarily defined by being in line with either the longitudinal axis of the lower second premolar (n = 60, 55%) or the longitudinal axis of a point between the first and second premolars (n = 39, 35.9%). The anteroposterior position of the MF was asymmetrical in 17.3% of the patients (10.3% of men and 25% of women). In the vertical plane, the MF was located slightly below the midpoint between the inferior border of the mandible and the alveolar bone crest. No significant differences related to side (P > 0.05) was detected.

Conclusions

Our convenient, computer-based application facilitates the rapid pin-pointing of the MF on panoramic radiographs. In the present study, the MF was located directly below the mandibular second premolar in the majority of Kurdish patients. These results and techniques may be useful when any mandibular surgery is planned.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Dentistry, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

    Nazar Al Talabani, Ibrahim S. Gataa & Khalid Jaff

Authors
  1. Nazar Al Talabani
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  2. Ibrahim S. Gataa
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  3. Khalid Jaff
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Correspondence to Nazar Al Talabani.

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Al Talabani, N., Gataa, I.S. & Jaff, K. Precise computer-based localization of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs in a Kurdish population. Oral Radiol 24, 59–63 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-008-0076-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-008-0076-4

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