Accessory mentual foramen: descriptive study in human mandibles cbct exams

Objectives: Objectives: The main aim of this study is to describe the accessory mentual foramen (AMF) in mandibles and to evaluate the incidence, diameter and location in relation to the actual mentual foramen in a Brazilian subpopulation.
Methods: Methods: It was analyzed fifty human mandible Cone-Beam Computed Tomography exams (CBCT). The exams were obtained by i-CAT Classic scanner and they were prescribed for implant reabilitation or other reasons. None patient was exposed to xRays for this research. Inclusion criteria was exam allowing the mandible visualization and bone lesion free. It was determined that a real AMF should have more than 0.5 mm in diameter. Also, was analyzed the distance between AMF and mental foramen (AMF-MF). With collected data was performed the descriptive statistical analyzes. It was performed a intraexaminer calibration with 100% concordance.
Results: Results: Our sample included 36 female and 14 male patients, with mean age of 42±14.66 years old. 6 AMF was found in 5 CBCT exams (10%), 4 exams in right side and 1 exam bilateral. All exams AMF positive belonged to female patients. Mean AMF diameter was 1.25±0.33 mm and mean distance AMF-MF was 4.58±2.23 mm. 5 AMF was located posterior to MF and 1 was located in anterior to MF.
Conclusions: Conclusions: AMF is an anatomical variation, with low incidence in this work, located close to MF. In present study, AMF was found only in female patient, but we suggest more study with a large sample to affirm this tendency. As large diameters may cause bleeding during surgeries its presence should be reported on CBCT exams.