Morphometric Analysis of the Dimension and Distance to Anatomical Structures From the Mental Foramen Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the dimensions and differences in distances from several anatomical structures to the mental foramen (MtF) in Pakistani participants using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, retrospective CBCT data of Pakistani individuals from both genders were assessed using the Mimics software (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). The participants were selected from the Mahajir and Pukhtoon ethnic groups in Pakistan. The dimensions of the MtF, which included vertical and horizontal diameter and area of foramen, were measured. The distance of the foramen to various anatomical structures was measured, which included the alveolar crest, inferior border of the mandible, and anterior mandible. Data were assessed using SPSS version 28 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Statistical analysis was performed using an independent sample t-test and a paired t-test. P-values greater than 0.05 and 0.001 were considered significant.

RESULTS: Greater measurements had been recorded for the Pukhtoon ethnicity with respect to the vertical, horizontal, and area of the foramen. In relation to the dimensions, males showed larger measurements than females. MtF's distance to the alveolar crest, inferior border of the mandible, and anterior mandible (p < 0.001) was greater in Pukhtoon ethnicity. Males displayed longer measurements.

CONCLUSION: CBCT proved to be a highly accurate and useful tool for the analysis of the dimensions and distances from the MtF in both ethnicities. The Pukhtoon ethnicity exhibited overall greater measurements with respect to the dimensions, highlighting a significant difference between the two ethnicities. Analysis of MtF distance to various landmarks resulted in longer measurements being observed in males and Pukhtoon ethnicity.