Hsiao, Yueh J.2024-06-052024-06-052024-06http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12613/10345Objectives: The oral cavity floor encompasses critical anatomical structures such as veins, arteries, nerves and glands. Life threatening hemorrhage and hematoma formation in the floor of the mouth may occur when injury to such vessels occur during dental surgery in the mandibular anterior region. Lingual foramina are located at the lingual surface of the mandible, which are often observed in the central and lateral incisors regions. Identification of mandibular median (MLF) and lateral (LLF) lingual foramina are important to avoid bleeding complications during dental implant site development and placement. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is indicated to provide 3 dimensional images to evaluate anatomical structures. To assist our dental patients and dental practitioners, knowledge of clinical anatomy and frequency of finding vital structures is important and has clinical significances to achieve best treatment outcome and minimize health and procedure risk. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of mandibular median and lateral lingual foramina in dental school population using cone beam computed tomography. Other variables such as gender, age, ethnicity, dentition status, number of canals, distance from lower border of mandible will also be evaluated.Methods: This study conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis using 558 CBCT scans from patients over 18 years, selected from a total of 1009 scans taken between January 2020 and July 2022 at the Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia. The research aimed to identify the prevalence and characteristics of mandibular median and lateral lingual foramina, focusing on their number and distances from the base of the mandible and alveolar crest. Exclusions were applied to scans not meeting the study criteria. The primary outcomes, including the presence and specifics of the lingual foramen, were measured through CBCT imaging and categorized by location and presence percentages. Independent variables analyzed were gender, ethnicity, age, and dentition status. Results: This study included 558 patients subdivided by gender into 312 females and 244 males; by ethnicity into 266 Caucasians, 165 African Americans, 53 Asians and 72 Hispanics and by dentition status with 467 partial, 71 complete and 18 edentulous dentitions. Overall, 84.23% scans presented with median lingual foramen and 11.83% scans exhibited lateral lingual foramina. Average number of median lingual foramina per scan was found to be 1.11 located at central incisor region. Anatomical position of median foramen on average was 16.61 mm from alveolar crest to the foramen and 11.19 mm from foramen to the base of the mandible. Bivariate analysis indicated no significant associations between the presence and frequency of foramina and patient ages, genders, or ethnicities. However, status of the dentition whether edentulous, complete or partial significantly influenced the distance from the alveolar crest to the foramen with p=0.000017, emphasizing the importance of dentition in surgical planning and risk assessment. Conclusions: Our study confirms current consensus in prevalence of median and lateral lingual foramina in the mandibular anterior lingual region. Generalized prevalence across genders, ethnicities and age groups highlights the necessity for thorough pre-operative CBCT imaging and careful evaluation prior to planning implant surgeries. This study emphasizes the role of CBCT in identifying these anatomical structures, thereby aiding dental practitioners avoiding potentially life threatening risks associated with surgical procedures in anterior mandibular region. Awareness and understanding of prevalence and location of lingual foramina can significantly contribute to the patient safety and enhance success of dental procedures.27 pagesengIN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available.http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/DentistryText156242024-05-25Leshkiv_temple_0225M_15624.pdf