RESUMEN
Purpose: This study aims at analyzing the mental foramen (MF) structure, dimension, position, and emergence profiles among a sample of a Palestinian population. Methods: 212 mental foramina (106 patients) were analyzed on two panoramic views (CBCT reformatted (CRP) & conventional (CP)) and CBCT coronal views. The visibility score, position, size, presence of loop & supplementary foramina, distances coronal and apical to the foramen, and the emergence profiles of the mental canals with associated course angles were all noted. Results: No statistically significant relationship was found between the type of panoramic radiographic view used (i.e., CP & CRP) and the resultant visibility level and position of MF. The majority of the MF showed an intermediate visibility score on both CP & CRP. The highest percentage of MF's position was under the 2nd mandibular premolar. The emergence profile was shown to be, in most, superior (S) in 47.6% of the sample and posterosuperior (PS) in 28.3%. The MF mean height and width were 4.08 mm & 4.11 mm, respectively. The coronal and axial angles averages were 46.25° and 91.49°, respectively. The distance superior and inferior to the MF showed averages of 12.39 mm and 13.52 mm, respectively. 28.3% of the sample presented with a mental loop, with a mesial extension average of 2 mm. Conclusion: On both panoramic views (CBCT & conventional), the majority of the mental foramina displayed an intermediate visibility level, with no signiï¬cant difference between the two techniques. The MF was found mostly under the second premolar. The majority of the examined mental canals had a superior emergence profile.
