The position of the mental foramen in the north and south Indian populations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine and compare the position of the mental foramen MF in the north and south Indian populations using Panoramic radiographs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 Panoramic radiographs were selected from the archives of PMNM Dental College and the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, of which 50 radiographs belonged to a north Indian population and 50 radiographs belonged to a local population of Bagalkot Karnataka. The position of the MF was classified into 6 positions depending on the relationship to the mandibular teeth. The distance from the superior border of the MF to the lower border of the mandible was also measured.

RESULTS: The most common position of the MF was along the long axis of the second premolar in the north Indian population and in south Indian populations it was found to be between the first and second premolar. Descriptive analysis was used to compare the distance between the superior border of the mental foramen and the lower border of the mandible bilaterally.

CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference in the position of the MF between the north and south Indian populations.