title: Three-dimensional anatomic analysis of mandibular foramen with mandibular anatomic landmarks for inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to standardize 3-dimensional anatomic positioning of the mandibular foramen (MnF) for inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-dimensional mandibular computerized tomography (CT) images were reconstructed from data for 49 patients aged 8-16 years (growth group) and 59 patients aged 18-25 years (adult group). To measure MnF position, we defined 5,6 as the superior contact point between the mandibular first molar and second premolar and 5,6 MnFP as the point on the MnF plane intersecting 5,6 at a right angle. The MnF plane passed through the MnF and parallel to the occlusal plane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the growth group, the distance from the MnF to the anterior ramus increased with age, as did distance from the gonion to MnF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurements correlated significantly with age in the growth group. Needle insertion at an obtuse angle in the MnF plane from the contralateral first molar is appropriate for inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Health Insurance Corporation, Ilsan Hospital, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, 411-719, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sang-Hoon
authors: SH
authors: Kang
authors: In-Young
authors: IY
authors: Byun
authors: Jin-Hong
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Hee-Keun
authors: HK
authors: Park
authors: Moon-Key
authors: MK
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed