Methods: The mandibular foramen opening width (MFW) and reference lines from MF were measured in 72 patients with the normal occlusion and statistically analyzed by t-test.
Results: Comparing the left and the right side of the MFW in males was significantly different, but the other reference lines were not significantly different. In females, both the MFW and all reference lines were also not significantly different (p>0.05). Comparing between sexes, the MFW was not significantly different on both side. While the reference lines of the left and right side were significantly different, the distance of the right side of the MF-IB was not significantly different (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The location of the mandibular foramen was slightly posterior to the middle third of the width of the ramus and the superior to the middle third of the ramus height. This study may be useful for supplying to block the inferior alveolar nerve and in orthognathic surgery regarding bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy.