Cone Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation the Dimensional Change of Lingual Foramen and Its Canal as Related to Gender and Age in Iraqi Population

Abstract

Background: Just above the mental spine on the back of the mandible's symphysis is a small midline aperture called the lingual foramen. Evaluation the anatomical variation of this foramen and its canal are crucial in the course of surgical and implant procedure. The aim of this study is to locate the lingual foramen and associated canal in the Iraqi population using cone-beam computed tomography and to estimate how gender and age affect these structures. Material and method: this cross-sectional study was conducted using 73 CBCT images from the radiology archive in specialties dental center in baquba-diyala. The length of lingual canal, diameters and its location according to alveolar crest, inferior border of mandible and buccal plat were assessed. These measurements were categorized by age and gender. Result: age between (20-40) years old had no effect on lingual foramen and its canal, while age over 40 years old had effect on lingual foramen and its canal with P value (0.008). There was no significant relationship between the lingual foramen and gender except the distance between terminal end of canal at lingual end and alveolar crest with a P value of (0.002) and the distance between the lingual canal's terminal end at buccal end and alveolar crest with P value (0.002) with mean value higher in male as compared to female.Conclusion: age had no effect on lingual foramen and its canal except age over 40 years old which had significant effect on the selected anatomical measurements of these structures, while gender had high effect on the distance between the alveolar crest and the lingual foramen at buccal and lingual end, as a result, gender must be taken into account when making implant in anterior mandible.