Anatomical, Morphometrical, and Clinical Relevance of Human Mandible Mental Foramen

Introduction: The mental foramen (MF) serves as an important reference point in dental and maxillofacial surgeries. Identifying its anatomical, morphometrical, and clinical relevance is vital for surgical planning and implant placement. Aim: The aim of this study was to perform an anatomical and morphometrical analysis of the MF in dry human adult mandibles. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 58 dry adult human mandibles. On each mandible, the number and shape of the mental foramina were recorded, along with their distances to key mandibular landmarks. In addition, the vertical and horizontal diameters of the mental foramina were measured. Results: 62.1% exhibited a single MF on both sides, whereas 20.7% had a single foramen on the right side, with the left side lacking a foramen. Ten mandibles (17.2%) displayed a double MF on the right side and a single foramen on the left. Considering the 109 documented mental foramina, 89 were round in shape, whereas the remaining 20 were oval. The positions of the MF relative to key mandibular landmarks showed noticeable differences between the right and left sides. On the right side, the vertical diameter of the MF measured 3–5 mm, and the horizontal diameter measured 2.5–6.5 mm. On the left side, the vertical diameter measured 3–5.5 mm, and the horizontal diameter measured 2–6 mm. Conclusion: MF is a consistent anatomical foramen present on every mandible under study. It demonstrates marked variability in anatomical and morphometrical parameters. Recognizing these variations is vital for surgeons to protect the mental nerve from inadvertent injury.