Morphometric Analysis of Mental Foramen Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in a Sample of the Erbil Population

Objective: This study aims to analyze the mental foramen (MF) morphometric characteristics using Cone Beam Computed Tomography and compare its location based on gender differences in the Erbil population. Methods: The study included 52 Cone-Beam Computed Tomography scans. The following aspects were assessed: the position of the mental foramen (MF) in relation to the lower teeth, the distance of the mental foramen from the midline of the mandible, the distance of the mental foramen from the inferior border of the mandible, and the vertical and transverse distances of the mental foramen. Results: The study identified significant gender differences in the location of the mental foramen. Males had a greater distance from the mental foramen to the midline of the mandible on the left side (25.49 mm vs. 24.04 mm) and a greater distance from the mental foramen to the inferior border of the mandible on the right side (14.03 mm vs. 12.84 mm). The transverse distance of the mental foramen was also larger in males on the left side (4.47 mm vs. 3.84 mm). The mental foramen was most located between the first and second premolars. Significant differences were observed in the mental foramen’s position between the right and left sides. Conclusions: The findings highlight significant gender-based variations in the location of the mental foramen, which can influence clinical approaches in dental and surgical procedures.