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Radiographic position of the mental foramen

Background: The location of the mental foramen is important for dental surgeons. Variations in its locations can be a cause of complications during local anesthesia or surgical procedures which involving mandible. The usual location of the mental foramen in an Indian population has not been previously reported.Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most common location of the mental foramen in an Indian population.Materials and Methods: 260 panoramic radiographs were evaluated with regard to the location and symmetry of the mental foramina in male and female subjects.Results: We found that the mental foramen was located between the first and second premolars in 20% , in line with the second premolar in 61%, between the second premolar and mesial root of first molar 3.8%, In the line of mesial root of first molar 5.3% and distal to mesial root of first molar 0.3%. It was symmetrical in 59 %.Conclusions: This study emphasis that the most common location of mental foramen is in the line of second premolar followed by between the two premolars. The clinician should asses the location of mental foramen before any surgical intervention involving mandible. 