2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Diagnostic importance of the lingual foramina in the canine/premolar region of the mandible

Research Project

Project/Area Number	20791376
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
Research Institution	The Nippon Dental University
Principal Investigator	KAWAI Taisuke The Nippon Dental University, 生命歯学部, 講師 (30350143)
Project Period (FY)	2008 – 2010
Keywords	歯科放射線診断学 / 歯科インプラント診断
Research Abstract	This study investigated the variations of the lingual foramina in the canine/premolar region of the mandible (lateral lingual foramina : LLF). The frequency and location of LLF were evaluated from cone beam CT (CBCT) images and vessels were identified through macroscopic anatomical observations. The LLFs were observed in 63% of mandibles, and average location was 9.7mm inferior to the mental foramen. In cadaver study, the arteries were identified to be submental arteries having anastomosed with the incisal branch of inferior alveolar arteries. The possible injury of the vessels and the consective complication during implant surgery could be reduced by recognizing lingual foramina in the canine/premolar region in the preoperative imaging. The use of CBCT seemed to be critical to avoid complications.