title: The mandibular lingula's position in children as a reference to inferior alveolar nerve block.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of the State of São Paulo, Julio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cláudia Misue
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kanno
authors.forename: José Américo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Antônio Augusto Ferreira
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: 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