Buccolingual course of the inferior alveolar canal in different mental foramen locations: A cone beam computed tomography study of an Iranian population

CONTEXT: Better understanding of the anatomical location and course of the mandibular canal is necessary to avoid damaging inferior alveolar nerve. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the buccolingual course of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) in different mental foramen locations, using cone beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and twelve hemimandibular images were evaluated in this study. The location of mental foramen in relation to the apices of mandibular premolar and molar teeth were recorded. Nine measurements (in millimeters) were taken at the level of the IAC and posterior mandibular premolar and molar root apices. Relative distances of IAC to buccal and lingual mandibular cortex were calculated for different mental foramen types. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The distribution of subjects according to the type of mental foramen includes: Type 1 = 50.3% (at the level of second premolar apex), Type 2 = 33% (between the apices of first and second premolars), and Type 3 = 16.7% (between the apices of second premolars and first molars). The buccolingual ratio of the IAC position was statistically significant in different mental foramen types (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: The position of IAC was affected by the location of the mental foramen. The direction of IAC gradually changed from lingual to buccal and from posterior to anterior.