Mental foramen of mandible in South Kerala population - A digital radiographic study

To assess whether there is sexual dimorphism in the location of mental foramen from base of mandible in South Kerala population.A two-year retrospective study was conducted in 200 subjects [100 males and 100 females] using digital radiographs. The location of mental foramen mandible was assessed from digital orthopantomogram. The vertical distance was measured from the superior border of the mental foramen to the lower border of the mandible and the inferior border of the mental foramen to the lower border of the mandible. The obtained data statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Descriptive statistics was analyzed. Independent t-test was done to determine the association between gender and different parameters. The level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05.The average value of the distance of lower border of mandible from the superior and inferior border of mental foramen is found to be significantly higher in males than females.The study revealed that there is sexual dimorphism in the location of mental foramen in South Kerala population.