title: Determination of the location of the mental foramen: a critical review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark to consider during surgical endodontic procedures. The purpose of this review article was to discuss the variety of techniques that have been developed to determine the location of the MF, to make recommendations for the current best technique available, and to discuss upcoming technologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles that have addressed the location of the MF were evaluated for information pertinent to include in this review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Different technologies have been used to help operators determine the clinical location of the MF. Most of the techniques have shortcomings such as magnification, radiation, and cost. Cone-beam computed tomographic imaging is the best current available imaging technology to determine the accurate location of the MF, but it has shortcomings such as radiation, cost, and not being real time, which means the data must be interpreted at a later time than when the information was computed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the future, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound technologies seem to provide promising noninvasive imaging techniques.
authors.affiliation: Case School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland State University, Dental School, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address: Axa53@case.edu.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aminoshariae
authors.affiliation: Case School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland State University, Dental School, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Case School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland State University, Dental School, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kulild
mesh_terms: D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Endodontic surgery; location; mental foramen; review; surgery