Introduction/Aim. Knowing the precise position of the mental foramen is of great clinical importance in dentistry due to significant anatomical structures that pass through this foramen. The aim of this study was to examine the sexual dimorphism of the horizontal and vertical position of the mental foramen in relation to constant anatomical landmarks in the population of southeast Serbia using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods. Thirty-two CBCT images of male and 34 CBCT images of female patients were used. The horizontal distance from the anterior border of the mental foramen to the skeletal middle line was measured, as well as the vertical distance from the anterior and inferior borders of the mental foramen to the tangential line, which touches the base of the mandible. Results. Sexual dimorphism of horizontal position of the mental foramen was observed on the right side (t = 3.69; p < 0.001). When measuring the vertical position from the superior border of the foramen, sexual dimorphism was observed on both the left (t = 4.31; p < 0.001) and right side (t = 4.22; p < 0.001). Similarly, when measured from the inferior border of the foramen, sexual dimorphism was evident on both the left (t = 5.61; p < 0.001) and right side (t = 4.01; p < 0.001). Conclusion. The observed sexual dimorphism of the mental foramen position can facilitate dental treatments and surgical interventions on the mandible in patients of different genders.
References
1.
von Arx T, Friedli M, Sendi P, Lozanoff S, Bornstein MM. Location and Dimensions of the Mental Foramen: A Radiographic Analysis by Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography. Journal of Endodontics. 2013;39(12):1522–8.
2.
Rani A, Kanjani V, Kanjani D, Annigeri RG. Morphometric assessment of mental foramen for gender prediction using panoramic radiographs in the West Bengal population – A retrospective digital study. Journal of Advanced Clinical and Research Insights. 2019;6(3):63–6.
3.
Alsoleihat F, Al-Omari FA, Al-Sayyed AR, Al-Asmar AA, Khraisat A. The mental foramen: A cone beam CT study of the horizontal location, size and sexual dimorphism amongst living Jordanians. HOMO. 2018;69(6):335–9.
4.
Akgül AA, Toygar TU. Natural craniofacial changes in the third decade of life: A longitudinal study. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 2002;122(5):512–22.
5.
Khalifa S, Salem H. Sex determination by morphometric analysis of the mental foramen from digital panoramic radiography. Egyptian Dental Journal. 2022;68(3):2189–97.
6.
Khojastepour L, Mirbeigi S, Mirhadi S. Location of Mental Foramen in a Selected Iranian Population: A CBCT Assessment. Iran Endod J. 2015;10(2):117–21.
7.
Sheikhi M, Kheir MK. CBCT Assessment of Mental Foramen Position Relative to Anatomical Landmarks. International Journal of Dentistry. 2016;2016:1–4.
8.
Agthong S, Huanmanop T, Chentanez V. Anatomical Variations of the Supraorbital, Infraorbital, and Mental Foramina Related to Gender and Side. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2005;63(6):800–4.
9.
Neiva RF, Gapski R, Wang H. Morphometric Analysis of Implant‐Related Anatomy in Caucasian Skulls. Journal of Periodontology. 2004;75(8):1061–7.
10.
Apinhasmit W, Methathrathip D, Chompoopong S, Sangvichien S. Mental foramen in Thais: an anatomical variation related to gender and side. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy. 2006;28(5):529–33.
11.
Renjith G, Mary DP, Soe K, Wan MY, Beh HC, Phuah WH, et al. Sex estimation by discriminant function analysis using anatomical location of mental foramen. Forensic Science International: Reports. 2019;1:100018.
12.
Avila‐Ortiz G, Chambrone L, Vignoletti F. Effect of alveolar ridge preservation interventions following tooth extraction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 2019;46(S21):195–223.
13.
Haktanır A, Ilgaz K, Turhan-Haktanır N. Evaluation of mental foramina in adult living crania with MDCT. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy. 2010;32(4):351–6.
14.
Aggarwal B, Gorea RK, Gorea A, Gorea A. Comparative analysis of clinical and experimental methods for determination of sexual dimorphism of mandibular canines. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 2016;44:20–3.
15.
Zdravković D, Milosavljević M, Stojić V, Kanjevac T. Epidemiological survey of dental prosthetic restorations in central Serbian population. Timocki medicinski glasnik. 2018;43(4):161–9.
16.
Pejcic A, Kostic M, Marko I, Obradovic R, Minic I, Bradic‐Vasic M, et al. Tooth loss and periodontal status in patients with cardiovascular disease in the Serbian population: A randomized prospective study. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2023;21(2):317–27.
17.
Kaasalainen T, Ekholm M, Siiskonen T, Kortesniemi M. Dental cone beam CT: An updated review. Physica Medica. 2021;88:193–217.
18.
Subash T, Balaraj B, Hema C. Determination of sex by cone-beam computed tomography analysis of mental foramen in South Indian Population. International Journal of Forensic Odontology. 2019;4(1):21.
19.
Guerrero M, Rodríguez-Cárdenas Y, Casas-Campana M, Arriola-Guillén L, Castillo AD, Ruiz-Mora G. Sexual dimorphism of mental foramen position in peruvian subjects: A cone-beam-computed tomography study. Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2020;31(1):103.
20.
Anuthama K, Shankar S, Ilayaraja V, Kumar GS, Rajmohan M, Vignesh. Determining dental sex dimorphism in South Indians using discriminant function analysis. Forensic Science International. 2011;212(1–3):86–9.
21.
Pelé A, Berry PA, Evanno C, Jordana F. Evaluation of Mental Foramen with Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Systematic Review of Literature. Radiology Research and Practice. 2021;2021:1–10.
22.
Philips JL, Weller RN, Kulild JC. The mental foramen: Part II. Radiographic position in relation to the mandibular second premolar. Journal of Endodontics. 1992;18(6):271–4.
23.
Petrovski M, Jovevska S, Terzieva-Petrovska O. Radiographic analysis of the mental foramen and mandibular canal localization. J Hyg Eng Des. 2020;30:125–9.
24.
Vodanović M, Dumančić J, Demo Ž. Determination of Sex by Discriminant Function Analysis of Mandibles From two Croatian Archaeological Sites. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2006;40:263–77.
25.
Alarcón JA, Bastir M, Rosas A. Variation of mandibular sexual dimorphism across human facial patterns. HOMO. 2016;67(3):188–202.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
,
