FREQUENCY OF MANDIBULAR MEDIAL LINGUAL, LATERAL LINGUAL AND BUCCAL FORAMENS ACCORDING TO GENDER

Purpose: the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of mandibular medial lingual, lateral lingual and buccal foramens located on the both lingual and buccal side of mandible according to gender by dental volumetric tomography. material and method: dental volumetric tomography images of 190 consecutive patients were examined retrospectively. the frequency of mandibular medial lingual , lateral lingual and buccal foramens were evaluated with respect to gender. results: statistically significant differences could not be found in the frequency of mandibular median lingual, mandibular lateral lingual and mandibular buccal foramina according to gender. however, the frequency of mandibular lateral lingual foramina was higher in female; the frequency of mandibular buccal foramina was higher in male. conclusions: dental volumetric tomography can easily demonstrates presence and location of these foraminas. maxillofacial radiologists and surgeons should be aware of these canals and their importance in order to prevent complications during implant planning and other surgical procedures.