title: Panoramic radiographic study of mental foramen in selected dravidians of south Indian population: A hospital based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed at documenting information on appearance, size, horizontal and vertical locations of Mental Foramen (MF) in Panoramic Radiograph. We also analyzed the age and gender differences with radiographic appearance and location of MF. We evaluated these findings in our population and co-relate with results of previous studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  1662 panoramic radiographs were evaluated, of which 245 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Each radiograph was traced to record the horizontal and vertical locations. The size of MF was recorded using digital caliper and its appearance was determined by visual examination. Chi-square and t-test were employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common appearance of MF was continuous type and the tests showed significant difference with age and gender. The most frequent horizontal location of MF was "location c" with no statistical significant difference with age and gender. The MF was most commonly positioned mesially in relation to the apex of second premolar with no significant differences with gender. The vertical location of the foramen varied drastically with no statistical significant difference in both sides. The difference in dimensions on the left and right sides were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Determining the morphological appearance and positional variation of MF is important for isolation of mental nerves and vessels when administering local anesthesia and performing surgeries. We therefore stress the importance of accurate radiographic identification of MF and interpretation. Our research findings can be used as reference material by the dental practitioners of South India while performing clinical procedures that involve MF.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Mental foramen, mental nerve, panoramic radiograph, mandible.
authors.affiliation: BDS, MDS, Post Graduate student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, M.S. Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, MSRIT Post, MSR Nagar, Bangalore - 560054, India.
authors.forename: Vaibhav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: BDS, Apex Dental Clinic, A - 204, A wing, Jain Apartment, 60 feet road, Bhyander West, Thane - 401101, India.
authors.forename: Parag
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pitti
authors.affiliation: BDS, MDS, FAGE, Lecturer, Clinical Dentistry and Oral Radiology, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University. Cairns, Queensland - 4878, Australia.
authors.forename: Amar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sholapurkar