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Background: The mental foramen is a significant anatomical landmark that plays a crucial role in performing various types of surgical procedures and administering local anesthetics for oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Having a thorough understanding of the anatomy of this area is essential for performing effective nerve blocks and avoiding any damage to the neurovascular bundles. Hence, we aim to study the anatomical location, size, and shape of the mental foramen of the mandible in the population of Bihar and compare it with the findings of other studies. The mental foramen is a significant anatomical landmark that plays a crucial role in performing various types of surgical procedures and administering local anesthetics for oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Having a thorough understanding of the anatomy of this area is essential for performing effective nerve blocks and avoiding any damage to the neurovascular bundles. Hence, we aim to study the anatomical location, size, and shape of the mental foramen of the mandible in the population of Bihar and compare it with the findings of other studies. Materials and Methods: The 120 dried fully ossified dentulous adult human mandibles (240 sides), of unknown gender and age, were used in the current cross-sectional investigation. Only those well-preserved mandibles that belonged to adults, were complete in all respects, and allowed for precise morphological observations were included in the study. Results: Our study found that the mental foramen is most commonly round (60.42%) and exits in the postero-superior direction on both sides with a frequency of 92.92%. The mean transverse diameter is 3.22 mm on the right side and 3.74 mm on the left side, with a statistically significant difference (p-value ≤0.05). The mean vertical diameter is 3.37 mm on the right side and 3.48 mm on the left side. Our findings show that the most common position of the mental foramen in relation to the lower teeth is below the apex of the second premolar, accounting for 37.08% on the right side and 36.67% on the left side. The second most frequent position is between the first and second premolar, representing 7.92% on the right side and 7.08% on the left side. Additionally, a position between the second premolar and first molar teeth was observed, accounting for 5% on the right side and 6.25% on the left side. On the right side, the distance between the mental foramen and the symphysis menti was found to be 28.71±1.36 mm, while on the left side, it was 28.94±1.19 mm. Similarly, the distance between the mental foramen and the posterior border of the ramus was 73.83±1.12 mm on the right side and 78.91±1.86 mm on the left side. The distance between the mental foramen and the alveolar crest was 17.87±1.73 mm on the right side and 18.69±1.63 mm on the left side. Finally, the distance between the mental foramen and the inferior border of the body of the mandible was found to be 16.91±1.23 mm on both sides. Conclusion: This study provides data on the location and morphometry of the mental foramen, aiding dental surgeons in avoiding nerve damage during surgeries in this region.
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