Characterization of the Anterior Loop, Accessory Mental Foramen, and Lateral Lingual Foramen Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract Objective: The presence of the anterior loop, accessory mental foramen, lateral lingual foramen, and other details in the mental foramen region can complicate surgeries in this area, which may vary among different populations. This study aims to investigate these features in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images from patients at the Dental College of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, encompassing 703 patients providing 1362 mandibular halves. Evaluations were conducted on various sections of CBCT images to examine the targeted structures. Data analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (v20.0; IBM Corp) with appropriate statistical tests. Results: The anterior loop was observed with a prevalence of 22.15% on the right side with an average length of 2.918 mm (range 1-6 mm) and 22.56% on the left side with an average length of 2.628 mm (range 0.9-5 mm). The nerve exit direction was predominantly vertical (67.27%), posterior (26.91%), and anterior (5.79%). Accessory mental foramina were present in 8.27% of cases, ranging from 1 to 3 foramina with an average count of 1.0446, where 1.51% of individuals had bilateral occurrences. Lateral lingual foramina were found in 45.6% of individuals either on the right or left side, with 24.65% having bilateral presences. Conclusion: According to the findings, ALs, AMFs, and LLFs frequently occur in Iranian population. Considering the impact of racial, gender, and age characteristics on the variations of these anatomical structures, it is recommended to conduct similar studies in different populations.