A morphometric analysis of shape, size and position of mental foramen in dry human mandibles

Aim: To calculate size, shape and position of mental foramen. Materials & Methods: 50 dry human mandibles of either gender (20- females, 30- males) were included. The position of mental foramen in horizontally was calculated based on classification proposed by Bokhari. The vertical position was divided into six types using the modified Ngeow and Yuzawati criteria. Size was measured both vertically and horizontally with the help of vernier caliper and expressed as mean. Results: Most common horizontal position was II seen in both males (left- 56%, right- 50%) and females (left- 60%, right- 58%). Most common vertical position was 2 seen in males (left- 62%, right- 65%) and females (left- 55%, right- 52%). Most common shape was oval seen in both genders (males- 68% left, 62% right) and (females- 70% left, 72% right). A significant difference was observed ( P < 0.05 ) . Conclusion: Variation in shape, size and position was observed both males and females, however, most common shape found to be oval and position was II horizontally and 2 vertically in both genders.