Anatomical variation in position of the mental foramen detected by cone-beam computed tomography

Evaluating the anatomic variations and location of the mental foramen is essential for preventing damages to the branches of the mental nerve during dental implants placement and other surgical procedures. The mental foramen commonly lies at the apices of the mandibular premolars. This foramen may lie in the canine anterior segment or the posterior first molar area in only 1-2% of cases. This report presents a case with a rare mental foramen position identified in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).