Determination of Location of Mandibular Foramen Across Age Groups and Genders Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): A Radio-Anatomical Study

Background: Accurately locating the mandibular foramen is crucial for oral and maxillofacial surgeons due to its variability and difficulty in conventional clinical palpation, necessitating advanced imaging techniques such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Objective: This study aims to utilize CBCT to accurately ascertain the precise location of the mandibular foramen and investigate potential variations across different age groups and genders in our population. These insights can improve surgical precision and patient care in oral and maxillofacial procedures. Methods: A retrospective comprehensive radio-anatomical investigation analyzed CBCT images of 103 patients collected over 21 months using convenient sampling. The distances between the mandibular foramen (MF) and key mandibular landmarks (anterior and posterior ramus borders, deepest sigmoid notch point, lowest mandibular notch point, and mandibular occlusal plane) were measured. Ratios for MF's horizontal and vertical locations were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The average distance between the MF and the occlusal plane was 5.38 mm. The MF was centrally positioned along the anteroposterior axis and shifted anteriorly and superiorly with age. No significant difference in MF location was found between the right and left sides, except for the distance to the posterior ramus border (13.89 ± 2 mm on the right vs. 14.46 ± 1.99 mm on the left, p = 0.041). Males had greater distances to landmarks compared to females, but the overall MF position was similar across genders. Conclusion: Understanding MF variations, demonstrating that while gender differences exist in mandible dimensions, the MF's position remains consistent. These findings emphasize the need for tailored approaches in local anesthesia administration and surgical planning, particularly in the context of demographic-specific anatomical variations.