Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the morphological structure and localization of the mandibular foramen (MF) and mandibular lingula (ML) in a Turkish population sample using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The goal was to enhance the safety of surgical interventions and the success rate of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block anesthesia. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on CBCT images of 100 patients (50 males, 50 females) obtained at Kütahya Health Sciences University between May and October 2024. A total of 200 MF and ML structures were assessed. Morphological measurements, including MF width and height, ML height, and distances to various anatomical landmarks, were conducted using OnDemand 3D Dental software. Statistical variations were analyzed based on gender, dentition status, and age. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant bilateral differences (right vs. left) in MF width, height, and ML dimensions (p 0.05). MF height was significantly greater in males (p 0.05). Conclusion: Precise knowledge of the anatomical variations of the MF and ML is essential for minimizing complications during surgical and anesthetic procedures. These findings provide critical reference data for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, facilitating more accurate IAN block anesthesia and improving the safety of mandibular orthognathic surgeries.
İzgi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.