Studies on the location of the mental foramen in Turkish mandibles.

Abstract

The position of the mental foramen was studied in 58 adult Turkish skulls which were divided into two groups according to age. A previously published method was used to determine the position of the mental foramen. The most common position of the mental foramen lies in line with the longitudinal axis passing between the first and second premolars. This result was in accordance with classical textbooks. Another measurement was also performed on the mental foramen in both groups. The distance between the mental foramen and the mandibular symphysis (A) and the distance between the mental foramen and the inferior border of the mandible (B) were measured. There was a significant difference between the two groups in B, but not in A.