Observation of buccal foramen in mandibular body using cone-beam computed tomography.

The location and course of the mandibular canal and multiple mental foramina are important in dental implant insertion and any surgical procedures involving the mandible. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess buccal foramen presence in the mandible using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. A total of 84 patients were enrolled in this investigation. Buccal foramen presence in the mandibular body, which was defined as a buccal bone defect of the bony canal penetrating through the buccal cortical bone, was assessed using two- and three-dimensional CBCT images. Buccal foramen presence, located from the median to molar regions, was observed in 44% of patients. There was no significant difference among gender and age. Also, a buccal foramen showing continuity with the mandibular canal was observed in 7.1% of patients. Buccal foramen presence in the mandibular body could be assessed in detail using CBCT images.