Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of Mental and Genial Spinal Foramina in a Thai Population

Objective: To investigate frequency, anatomic location, and morphology of mental and genial spinal foramina in a group of Thai population. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography scans were collected and analyzed for frequency, anatomic location and morphology of mental and genial spinal foramina. Data were analyzed using Chi-Square test, one-way ANOVA and independent t-test. P values less than 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. Results: The mental foramen was located at the apex of second premolar in 46%and between apices of premolars 35.8%. Round and oval mental foramina were found in 65% and 21% of patients, respectively. The superior and inferior genial spinal foramina were encountered in 80.3% and 32.7% of patients, respectively. The accessory mental foramen was identified in 6.6% of patients. The average distance from the center of mental foramen to the alveolar and basal borders of mandibular body was 11.70 ± 2.13 and 16.34 ± 3.79mm, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that horizontal position of mental foramen in Thai population is remarkably variable. Cone beam computerized tomography is optimal for delineating diminutive anatomical structures in the anterior mandible. High prevalence rates of superior and inferior genial spinal foramina necessitate comprehensive CBCT screening before surgery in the interforaminal region of the mandible.published_or_final_versio

International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Science (IJDOS)

Objective: To investigate frequency, anatomic location, and morphology of mental and genial spinal foramina in a group of Thai population. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography scans were collected and analyzed for frequency, anatomic location and morphology of mental and genial spinal foramina. Data were analyzed using Chi-Square test, one-way ANOVA and independent t-test. P values less than 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. Results: The mental foramen was located at the apex of second premolar in 46% and between apices of premolars 35.8%. Round and oval mental foramina were found in 65% and 21% of patients, respectively. The superior and inferior genial spinal foramina were encountered in 80.3% and 32.7% of patients, respectively. The accessory mental foramen was identified in 6.6% of patients. The average distance from the center of mental foramen to the alveolar and basal borders of mandibular body was 11.70 ± 2.13 and 16.34 ± 3.79mm, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that horizontal position of mental foramen in Thai population is remarkably variable. Cone beam computerized tomography is optimal for delineating diminutive anatomical structures in the anterior mandible. High prevalence rates of superior and inferior genial spinal foramina necessitate comprehensive CBCT screening before surgery in the interforaminal region of the mandible

Abnormal mandibular growth and the condylar cartilage

Deviations in the growth of the mandibular condyle can affect both the functional occlusion and the aesthetic appearance of the face. The reasons for these growth deviations are numerous and often entail complex sequences of malfunction at the cellular level. The aim of this review is to summarize recent progress in the understanding of pathological alterations occurring during childhood and adolescence that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and, hence, result in disorders of mandibular growth. Pathological conditions taken into account are subdivided into (1) congenital malformations with associated growth disorders, (2) primary growth disorders, and (3) acquired diseases or trauma with associated growth disorders. Among the congenital malformations, hemifacial microsomia (HFM) appears to be the principal syndrome entailing severe growth disturbances, whereas growth abnormalities occurring in conjunction with other craniofacial dysplasias seem far less prominent than could be anticipated based on their often disfiguring nature. Hemimandibular hyperplasia and elongation undoubtedly constitute the most obscure conditions that are associated with prominent, often unilateral, abnormalities of condylar, and mandibular growth. Finally, disturbances of mandibular growth as a result of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and condylar fractures seem to be direct consequences of inflammatory and/or mechanical damage to the condylar cartilage

Condylar Hyperplasia and Facial Asymmetry: Report of Five Cases

Condylar hyperplasia of mandible is overdevelopment of condyle, unilaterally or bilaterally, leading to facial asymmetry, mandibular deviation, malocclusion and articular dysfunction. This is a series of five such patients managed at our centre