Variations in mental foramen position & number in population

Mental foramen is a important landmark for giving anesthesia and surgical operation of low jaw and teeth (dental surgery ). So this study done with a purpose to knowing exact position of mandibular foramen. For this study Fifty mandible bones (toothed / Non-toothed mandibles) belonging to Madhya-Pradesh state were studied. All mandibles are of adult person (of either sex - male/Female). In study we observe Position of mental foramen in relation with body of mandible (distance from symphysis menti, from posterior border of ramus of mandible, from base of mandible & from alveolar margin) and in relation with tooth (below molar or below premolar) . We find out Mean Distance between mental foramen and base of mandible - 10.5 mm , Mean Distance of mental foramen from alveolar margin -15.25 mm. Mean distance between mental foramen and symphysis menti was - 30.00mm. Mean distance of mental foramen from posterior border of ramus -60.00mm. In study we also observe number of mental foramen on each side in a single mandible.