Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology · Published 2026-04-01 · DOI 10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_43_26
Background: The mental foramen (MF) holds significant clinical importance as it transmits the mental nerve and vessels that supply the anterior mandible, generally solitary in number, wherein double or multiple and any additional foramen is termed as an accessory foramen (AF). Objective: To assess the prevalence and location of the AF and its association with the MF using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) among the Bengaluru population. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 105 CBCT scans. The images were evaluated in three planes. The existence of additional foramen in the premolar region on both the buccal and lingual aspects and their dimensions and position were analyzed in relation to the mental foramen. Results: The most common location of the MF was in the second premolar region, and the mean area of MF was 3.9 mm2. AF was observed in 7.6% on the buccal aspect and 40% on the lingual surface of the mandible in the premolar region. No statistically significant correlation was found between AF, gender, or age. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the appearance of AF in the premolar region on CBCT scans, which could be implicated in potential complications during surgical procedures including implant placement, highlighting the need for presurgical imaging.
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