title: Accessory mental foramina and nerves: Application to periodontal, periapical, and implant surgery.
abstract: Recent studies investigating accessory mental foramina using developments in diagnostic imaging have primarily defined the morphology of the foramina; however, few studies have described the structures passing through them. Additional clinical knowledge of the foramina is therefore required for preoperative diagnosis prior to surgery, including implant, periodontal and periapical surgery. In this study, we investigated the accessory mental foramina and the associated nerves and arteries in donated cadaveric mandibles using anatomical and radiological observation methods. We examined 63 mandibles with overlying soft tissue by cone-beam computed tomography and noted the existence of the accessory mental foramina. Mandibles with accessory mental foramina were subsequently analyzed. Additionally, the neurovascular bundles passing through these foramina were dissected using anatomical methods.The incidence of accessory mental foramina was 14.3%. The larger foramina tended to be located anteriorly or superiorly and proximal to the mental foramen, while the smaller foramina tended to be located posterosuperiorly and distal to the mental foramen. The mental foramen ipsilateral to the accessory mental foramen was smaller than the one contralateral to it. The comparatively distant and large accessory mental foramen included an artery.This study elucidated the relationship between accessory mental foramina and the associated nerves and arteries. We believe that the results will contribute to the clinical dentistry field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.|Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwanaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saga
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tabira
authors.affiliation: Kitashima Dental and Orthodontic Clinic.
authors.forename: Sadaharu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitashima
authors.affiliation: Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Jingo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kusukawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Koh-Ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D010486:Periapical Tissue / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: cone-beam CT; dental implants; mandible; periapical diseases; periodontal diseases