• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2001

Purpose : To determine the head position that the superior border of the mandibular canal as well as mental foramen can be more clearly visualized in panoramic radiography Materials and Methods : Ten dry mandibles were radiographed bilaterally using PM 2002 CC panoramic machine. A 20 mm thick aluminium filter was added to the slit collimator to obtain radiographs with acceptable density. The specimens were tilted by 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 degrees downward with and without radiopaque markers. Radiopaque markers were inserted into the mandibular canals and the mental canals of each side of the specimens to serve as reference image when assessing the radiographs. The visibility of the mandibular canal and the mental foramen was estimated by 4 observers on all radiographs. The obtained results were analyzed statistically. Results: Mandibular canals were significantly more clearly visible in the radiographs with 4 and 6 degree downward position on both sides (P<0.05). Mental foramens were significantly more clearly visible in the radiographs with 4, 6, and 8 degree downward on right side and 6 degree downward on left side (P<0.05). There was not significant difference between right and left sides. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographs with 4 to 6 degree downward tilting could be valuable in locating the mandibular canal as well as the mental foramen.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.40
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• pp.15.1-15.6
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the location of the antilingula, lingula, and mandibular foramen in Korean cadavers and to promote safe and accurate surgery without damage to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle (IANB) when performing a vertical ramus osteotomy (VRO). Methods: This study was conducted on the dried mandibles of 20 adult cadavers. Digital calipers were used to measure the distances from the anatomical reference points (antilingula, lingula, and mandibular foramen). Result: The antilingula was located at the anterior 44% and superior 31% in the ramus. The lingula was located at the anterior 55% and superior 30% in the ramus. The mandibular foramen was located at the anterior 58% and superior 46% in the ramus. Regarding the positional relationship with the antilingula, the lingula was located 0.54 mm superior and 4.19 mm posterior, and the mandibular foramen was located 6.95 mm inferior and 4.98 mm posterior. The results suggested that in order to prevent damage to the IANB, osteotomy should be performed in the posterior region of ramus at least 29% of the total horizontal length of the ramus. Conclusion: Using only the antilingula as a reference point is not guaranteed to IANB injury. However, it is still important as a helpful reference point for the surgeon in the surgical field.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the anteroposterior length and buccal angle of the anterior loop, and the size and location of the mental foramen using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: 100 CBCT images from 87 adults (43 males and 44 females) ranging in age from 20 to 73 years (average 50 years) with edentulous ridge of the mandibular premolar region were obtained. Axial, sagittal, coronal images were reconstructed from Dental and Block Images of CBCT. The anteroposterior length, shape and buccal angle of the anterior loop, and the size and location of the mental foramen were calculated from reconstructed images of axial, sagittal and coronal CBCT. Results: The anteroposterior length and buccal angle of the mental canal was 4.0${\pm}$1.2mm, 37.8${\pm}$11.60$^{\circ}$respectively. The loop type with straight course was the most common shape of the mental canal. The location of the mental foramen below the apex of the lower second premolar (78%) was the most common. The maximum size of the mental foramen was 4.6${\pm}$1.0 mm in width and 3.0${\pm}$0.6 mm in height. The inner size of the mental canal was 2.6${\pm}$0.6 mm in width and 2.1 mm${\pm}$0.4 mm in height. Conclusion: CBCT is useful to evaluate the anterior loop and mental foramen of the mandibular canal. Safe guideline of 4 mm from the most anterior point of the mental foramen is recommended for implant and surgical treatment. (Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol 2009; 39: 81-7)

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1992

This study was performed to define the anatomical position of the mandibular canal and the findings during the sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible. The mandibles of 20 adult Korean were used. The dimension of mandibular canal from the mandibular foramen to the 1st molar was measured at 4 specific coronal-sectional location by CT scan. The results were as follows ; 1. The distance from the mandibular canal to the medial aspect of the buccal cortical plate was greatest($4.5{\pm}1.1mm$) at 2nd molar area and was not significantly greater than at any other section. 2. Buccal cortex was thickest($3.8{\pm}0.9mm$) at 2nd molar and thinnest ($2.5{\pm}0.3mm$) mandibular foramen um 3. The distance from the mandibular canal to the medial aspect of the lingual cortical plate was not significant at any sections. 4. The distance from the mandible canal to the inferior border of mandible was greatest at the mandibular foramen($20.7{\pm}3.9mm$). The canal was located more closely to the inferior border at 1st, 2nd molar area 5. The diameter of the mandibular canal was between $2.5{\pm}0.3mm$ and $2.8{\pm}0.6mm$. 6. The total mandibular thickness was greatest($21.1{\pm}2.6mm$) at 2nd molar area and narrowest($17.2{\pm}3.2mm$) at mandibular foramen area.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the position of the mandibular foramen in panoramic radiographs of Korean children to provide information for successful inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia. 240 panoramic radiographs of 7 to 15-year-old boys and girls were analyzed. The subjects were divided into 4 groups in boys and girls according to their age.; 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-15 years old. The shortest distances from the center of the mandibular foramen to the anterior border of ramus, to the posterior border of ramus, to the antegonial notch and to the mandibular notch and the perpendicular distances from the center of the mandibular foramen to the occlusal plane were measured. The following results were obtained. 1) Although the relative position of the mandibular foramen in the ramus of mandible tended to move anteriorly for both genders with age, the vertical position did not correlate with age. 2) The mandibular foramen moved upward in relation to the occlusal plane with age, and showed statistically significant correlation with age(p<0.05). 3) The mandibular foramina of boys, when compared to those of girls, were located more superiorly in relation to the occlusal plane and more superiorly and posteriorly in the ramus of mandible.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2002

Anatomical shape of the mandibular ramus, which includes the area from the rear of the mandibular second molar to the mandibular posterior border and from the mandibular sigmoid notch to the inferior mandibular border, must be carefully considered to perform orthognathic surgery. The locations of the lingula and mandibular foramen in medial side of mandibular ramus are one of the most important factors to decide the location of the horizontal medial osteotomy in sagittal split ramus osteotomy and to select the line of vertical osteotomy in intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy. Sixty-five different Korean human dry mandibles were surveyed. All mandible have permanent dentition including complete eruption of the mandibular second molar. The locations of the lingula and mandibular foramen in medial side of the ramus were identified and following results were obtained. Anterior ramal horizontal distance from lingula was $16.13{\pm}3.53mm(range:8.6{\sim}24.3mm)$, anterior ramal horizontal distance from mandibular foramen was $23.91{\pm}4.79mm(range: 14.1{\sim}39.7mm)$, horizontal width of mandibular foramen was $2.79{\pm}0.95mm(range:1.5{\sim}6.1mm)$, height of lingula was $10.51{\pm}3.84mm(range:3.1{\sim}22.4mm)$, vertical distance from sigmoid notch to lingula was $19.82{\pm}5.11mm(range:9.1{\sim}35.3mm)$. From this study, the result could be used to select the location of osteotomy lines and to decide amount of periosteal elevation to avoid injury of neurovascular bundle, and to accomplish the appropriate split in Korean patients in mandibular orthognathic surgery.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.199-205
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• 2003

Purpose: To compare the visibility of the mandibular canal at the different radiographic methods such as conventional panoramic radiographs, Vimplant multi planar reformatting (MPR)-CT panoramic images, Vimplant MPR-CT paraxial images and film-based DentaScan MPR-CT images. Materials and Methods: Data of 11 mandibular dental implant patients, who had been planned treatment utilizing both panoramic and MPR-CT examination with DentaScan software (GE Medical systems, Milwaukee, USA), were used in this study. The archived axial CT data stored on CD-R discs were transferred to a personal computer with 17' LCD monitor. Paraxial and panoramic images were reconstructed using Vimplant software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). Conventional panoramic radiographs, monitor-based Vimplant MPR-CT panoramic images, monitor-based Vimplant MPR-CT paraxial images, and film-based DentaScan MPR-CT images were evaluated for visibility of the mandibular canal at the mental foramen, 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm posterior to mental foramen using the 4-point grading score. Results: Vimplant MPR-CT panoramic, paraxial, and DentaScan MPR-CT images revealed significantly clearer images than conventional panoramic radiographs. Particularly at the region 1 em posterior to mental foramen, conventional panoramic radiographs showed a markedly lower percentage of 'excellent' mandibular canal images than images produced by other modalites. Vimplant MPR-CT and DentaScan MPR-CT images did not show significant difference in visibility of the mandibular canal. Conclusion: The study results show that Vimplant and DentaScan MPR-CT imaging systems offer significantly better images of the mandibular canal than conventional panoramic radiograph.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.317-326
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• 2011

The mental foramen and anterior loop of the mandibular canal are important landmarks for mandibular surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the shape and position of the mental foramen and anterior loop of the mandibular canal on the computed tomography (CT) images, and apply the results clinically. CT images of 96 patients (33 male, 36 female, age range 17~43 years, mean $24.6{\pm}4.99$ years) were enrolled. The horizontal and vertical position of the mental foramen, as well as the distance from the root apices were measured. The distance of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal to the root apices, and the buccal angle were measured. The mental foramen was found mostly below the second premolar observed in 81 cases (46.0%), between the first and second premolars in 67 cases (38.0%), and between the second premolar and first molar in 19 cases (10.2%). The mean distance between the mental foramen and the lower border of the mandible was $12.20{\pm}1.77$ mm, the mean distance between the mental foramen and root apex was $5.16{\pm}0.98$ mm. The mean distance of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was $5.80{\pm}2.00$ mm. The buccal angle measured at $47.7{\pm}9.07^{\circ}$. The distance between the root apex and mental foramen measured as $5.16{\pm}0.98$ mm on panoramic radiography, and $6.2{\pm}3.07$ mm on CT. The mean distance between the mental foramen and mandibular canal was $5.39{\pm}1.62$ mm. When performing surgical procedures such as installing dental implants, it is important to minimize surgical trauma, especially the risk of damage to the mental nerve. To optimize the surgical outcome, a careful assessment of the shape and position of the mental foramen and the anterior loop of the mandibular canal must be made. CT images are useful for finding such anatomic structures.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2013

It is necessary to consider the median lingual foramen carefully to prevent the bleeding due to the damage of the sublingual artery for implant surgery. This study is to evaluate the frequency, location, diameter and the number of the Mandibular median lingual foramen regarding gender and age in the CBCT. Sixty two images of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) whose visited the Chonnam National University Dental hospital from Sept. 2010 to Apr. 2011 were evaluated. Frequency, number, location and the diameter of Mandibular median lingual foramen shown in the CBCT image were evaluated. Sixty two patients (100%) had at least one median lingual foramen and fifty six patients (90.32%) had multiple foramens. Forty patients (66.13%) showed the median lingual foramen on the location between Mn. central incisors. The mean vertical position of the genial spine and the median lingual foramen was 24.21 mm and 14.52 mm, respectively. And the relative mean vertical dimension of median lingual foramen was 0.45. The mean diameter of the foramen was 0.93 mm. CBCT demonstrated the frequency, location, diameter and the number of median lingual foramen. It is necessary to take CBCT before implant placement to prevent the bleeding.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.64-76
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the position of the mandibular foramen and location and morphological characteristics of the mandibular lingula using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Mandibular CBCT images of children aged 6 - 16 years were collected. A total of 180 patients were divided into 3 groups, 6 - 7, 10 - 11 and 15 - 16 years, with 30 male and female patients per group. Either side of the ramus was analyzed. The shortest distances from the anterior, posterior, superior and inferior border of the ramus to the mandibular lingula were measured. The shortest distance between the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen was also measured. The vertical distance from the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen to the occlusal plane was measured. The shapes of the mandibular lingula was classified into 4 types according to the criteria. The distances of the mandibular lingula from the anteroposterior and vertical reference points of the ramus increased in all directions with age. The distance between the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen also increased with age. The location of the mandibular lingula and the mandibular foramen in relation to the occlusal plane moved upwards with age. The most common shape of the mandibular lingula was triangular, followed by nodular, truncated and assimilated, and there was no difference in the shape according to age. It is recommended that the horizontal insertion point of the anesthesia from the anterior border of the ramus increased to 17 mm, 18 mm, and 19 mm according to the age groups. It is also suggested that the vertical insertion point increased by 2 - 3 mm, 5 - 6 mm and 9 - 10 mm above the occlusal plane according to the age groups.