The position of the mental foramen: A comparison between the southern (Hong Kong) Chinese and other ethnic and racial groups

doi:10.1016/0030-4220(87)90191-5

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology

Volume 63, Issue 3, March 1987, Pages 287-290

Oral Surgery, Oral M...

https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(87)90191-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

The anteroposterior position of the mental foramen in eighty-seven southern (Hong Kong) Chinese skulls was compared with that reported for other ethnic and racial groups. The average position was essentially in line with the longitudinal axis of the second premolar tooth, a result similar to that reported for other Mongoloid populations, just posterior to the position in Caucasoids and anterior to the position in Negroids. These observations do not support the statement made in the majority of textbooks on dental analgesia that the foramen is most commonly found between the apices of the premolar teeth.

References (28)

LW Kay
Some anthropologic investigations of interest to oral surgeons
Int J Oral Surg
(1974)
Y Matsuda
Location of the dental foramina in human skulls from statistical observations
Am J Orthod
(1927)
W Gruber
Bemerkungen über das Foramen mentale
Arch Anat Phys Wiss Med
(1872)
E Fawcett
The structure of the inferior maxilla with special reference to the position of the inferior dental canal
J Anat
(1894–1895)
Y Hori
[About the mental foramen]
Zyûzenkai Zassi
(1927)
LV Kuznetsova et al.
Individual variability of the form and position of the mandibular and mental foramina
Stomatologiia (Mosk)
(1969)
E Olivier
The inferior dental canal and its nerve in the adult
Br Dent J
(1928)
T Stošić
Variations of the mental foramen
Stomatol Glas Srb
(1978)
H Moral
Die Leitungsanasthesie Im Ober Und Unterkiefer
F Merkel
Handbuch Der Topographischen Anatomie

O Hübner

Uber Leitungsanasthesie mittels Adrenalin-(Suprarenin)-Kokain im Ober- und Unterkiefer mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Dentinanasthesie

Osterr Z Stomatol

(1904)

U Esposito

Contributo allo studio del forame mentoniero nell 'uomo

Ann Stomat (Roma)

(1968)

MF Ashley Montagu

The direction and position of the mental foramen in the great apes and man

Am J Phys Anthropol

(1954)

FV Simonton

Mental foramen in the anthropoids and in man

Am J Phys Anthropol

(1923)

Cited by (72)

Cone- beam computed tomography study of morphologic and morphometric characteristics of mental foramen in an Eastern Indian population
2023, Forensic Imaging
In light of imaging evidence on the differences in several characteristics of anatomical foramina in the mandible, the current study evaluates the morphologic and morphometric characteristics of Mental foramen (MF) by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in an Eastern Indian population as well as the effect(s) of age and gender on the same.
CBCT images of 200 adult individuals aged 18–60 years were examined for the position, opening angle, dimensions of MF; vertical distance from the superior border of the foramen to alveolar crest and inferior border to base of the mandible; and the prevalence of the accessory mental foramen (AMF). The characteristics of MF and AMF were compared across the gender and age groups at p < 0.05 level of significance.
The MF was positioned in between the roots of premolars in 48.0% and 44.0% of males and females, respectively. In a higher proportion of females (98.0%, p = 0.006), the vertical position of MF on the left-side was below the root apex. The vertical (3.64 millimeter; p < 0.001) and horizontal (3.64 millimeter; p < 0.001) diameters of MF and occurrence of AMF (16.0%, p = 0.046) on the left-side were higher in males. The opening angle of MF (right-side: 24.13 degrees, p = 0.001; left-side: 24.21 degrees, p < 0.001) was higher in females.
Significant variations in certain parameters of the MF across gender were revealed with marked prevalence of AMF that may be of value in forensic investigation.
The mental foramen: A cone beam CT study of the horizontal location, size and sexual dimorphism amongst living Jordanians
2018, HOMO
Citation Excerpt :
The mental foramen is located on the anterolateral aspect of the buccal cortex of the body of the mandible. The antero-posterior horizontal position of the mental foramen has been reported to be most commonly between the apices of the mandibular premolars in some populations (Al-Khateeb et al., 2007; Moiseiwitsch, 1998) and below the mandibular second premolar in others (Al Jasser and Nwoku, 1998; Green, 1987; Phillips et al., 1990; Shankland, 1994; Wang et al., 1986). However, individual variation could place the mental foramen anywhere from the apex of the canine’s root to the apex of the mesiobuccal root of the mandibular first molar (Fishel et al., 1976; Green, 1987; Santini and Land, 1990; Sweet, 1959; Wang et al., 1986; Yesilyurt et al., 2008).
Accurate information regarding the horizontal location and size of mental foramen (MF) has a well-known clinical importance. In addition, these variables have been reported to exhibit inter-population variation. The aims of the present study were to study the horizontal position and size of MF, as seen on cone beam CT (CBCT) images, and to assess sexual dimorphism in these variables. Total of 139 CBCT images of a random Jordanian sample (50 males, 89 females, average age = 43.5, SD = 13.0, range = 23–69 years) were included. The most frequent horizontal locations of MF were found to be: between the two lower premolars (50%), and in line with lower second premolar (40%). The average long diameter of MF was 3.08 mm, SD = 0.65 mm in males (n = 50, range = 1.5–4.8 mm) and 2.46 mm, SD = 0.58 mm in females (n = 89, range = 1.2–4.0 mm), and the difference was statistically significant. Very weak positive correlation was found between age and MF diameter in females (r = 0.161) and the correlation was approaching statistical significance (p-value = 0.066), while a weak negative correlation was found between these two variables in males (r = −0.276) and the correlation was statistically significant (p-value = 0.038). It could be inferred from the results of the present study that about 95% success rate for mental nerve block anesthesia is expected when the anesthetic solution is administered between the two premolars; however this needs to be tested experimentally. It appears that there is a tendency for an increase in MF size with age in females as opposed to a tendency for size reduction with age in males; this might suggest a role for sexual hormones in influencing MF size.
Associations between the 3D position of the mental foramen with sagittal skeletal relationships (classes I, II, and III) and vertical facial growth patterns (normal, long, and short faces) in different ages and sexes: a retrospective cohort study of 360 CBCTs
2023, BMC Oral Health
Positional Anatomy of the Mandibular Foramen and Canal: A Scan Study in the Melanoderma Living in Bénin
2023, International Journal of Anatomy and Research
Relation of Mental Foramen to dental implant
2023, Bionatura
Periosteum Classification and Flap Advancement Techniques Around the Mental Foramen
2022, International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry

View all citing articles on Scopus

^∗: Lecturer, Department of Anatomy.

View full text

The position of the mental foramen: A comparison between the southern (Hong Kong) Chinese and other ethnic and racial groups

Abstract

Int J Oral Surg

Am J Orthod

Bemerkungen über das Foramen mentale

Arch Anat Phys Wiss Med

The structure of the inferior maxilla with special reference to the position of the inferior dental canal

J Anat

[About the mental foramen]

Zyûzenkai Zassi

Individual variability of the form and position of the mandibular and mental foramina

Stomatologiia (Mosk)

The inferior dental canal and its nerve in the adult

Br Dent J

Variations of the mental foramen

Stomatol Glas Srb

Die Leitungsanasthesie Im Ober Und Unterkiefer

Handbuch Der Topographischen Anatomie

Uber Leitungsanasthesie mittels Adrenalin-(Suprarenin)-Kokain im Ober- und Unterkiefer mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Dentinanasthesie

Osterr Z Stomatol

Contributo allo studio del forame mentoniero nell 'uomo

Ann Stomat (Roma)

The direction and position of the mental foramen in the great apes and man

Am J Phys Anthropol

Mental foramen in the anthropoids and in man

Am J Phys Anthropol