The mandibular lingula's position in children as a reference to inferior alveolar nerve block.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the position of the mandibular lingula (ML) to provide data for inferior alveolar nerve block techniques in children.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-four panoramic radiographs of 7- to 10-year-old boys and girls were analyzed. Measurements were taken from the ML to the occlusal plane, and the percentile distances of the ML to ramal borders were determined.


RESULTS
The distance between the ML and the occlusal plane showed a gradual increase, but only in the male group was it statistically significant. ML's ratio position on the ramus remained constant in all analyzed groups. In the 7-year-old group, the ML was observed above the occlusal plane in 70% of girls and 55% of boys. That percentage reached 85% of all children by age 10.


CONCLUSIONS
The mandibular lingula's ratio position remained constant. Inferior alveolar anesthesia should be administered at least 6 mm above the occlusal plane in 7- to 8-year-old children, while 10 mm could be indicated for 9- to 10-year-old children. The mandibular lingula should be considered a reliable reference for further studies of inferior alveolar nerve block techniques.
Kanno
Cláudia Misue
CM
University of the State of São Paulo, Julio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Brazil.
de Oliveira
José Américo
JA
Cannon
Mark
M
Carvalho
Antônio Augusto Ferreira
AA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography