Visualization of the anterior loop of the mental nerve and the mandibular incisive cana: comparison between panoramic radiograph and cone beam

Surgical procedures in the anterior mandible are susceptible to hemorrhage or sensory disturbances in the perioperative or postoperative period. To prevent possible injuries to vessels and nerves a careful assessment of this region is necessary. Anatomical findings such as the anterior loop of the mental nerve (ALMN) and the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) are found in the interforaminal region. The aim of this study was to compare the presentation of these structures (ALMN and MIC) on panoramic radiographs (PAN) and on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine its anterior extension to mental foramen (MF), in PAN and in both panoramic reconstructions and cross-section from CBCT exams. The sample consisted of diagnostic images of 91 individuals who had PAN and CBCT. Presence of ALMN and MIC was assessed; when present, the length of mesial extension of ALMN and/or MIC (with diameter greater than 1 mm) from the mental foramen (MF), was measured in both PAN and CBCT. Mesial extension to the MF was measured in two ways: for PAN and CBCT panoramic reconstructions, the plane of orientation was the inferior margin of the mandible; for cross-sections the occlusal plane guided the measurement. The statistical analysis employed the Kappa, ICC, McNamer Bowker, ANOVA with post hoc Tukey test and t test. On CBCT, 53.3% of the hemimandibles showed ALMN and 58.8% showed MIC. Considering PAN, the frequency of ALMN was 23.1% and 19.8% for MIC. PAN presented more difficulties for viewing both structures. The anterior extension to from the MF of these structures ranged from 1.00 mm (or 0 mm when ALMN and MIC were absent) to 19.00 mm, when observed in CBCT. PAN overestimated the measurements by approximately 2.0 mm on average. The measurements showed that it is not possible to determine a safe mesial distance from the MF for implant placement. Considering the limitations of PAN, it is recommended the use of CBCT for pre-surgical assessments of implants in the anterior region of the mandible to avoid potential sensory and hemorrhagic complications (AU)