Is ultrasonography sufficient for evaluation of mental foramen?

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) in morphological and morphometric evaluation of the mental foramen (MF) compared to cone beam CT (CBCT). Methods: The measurements were established on 60 MFs of 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) with a mean age of 30.70 +/- 9,23 years. The vertical and the horizontal diameters, distance to the alveolar crest of the MF was measured by both CBCT and USG. Results obtained with CBCT and USG were statistically compared. And also the blood flow of the MF determined by Doppler USG. Results: All of the MFs could be detected by CBCT and USG. The vertical and the horizontal diameter measurements were compatible with each other by CBCT and USG. However, the distance to the alveolar crest was lower in USG than CBCT (p < 0.0001). The blood flow could be detected in all patients by Doppler USG that was weak in 8 MFs and strong in 52 MFs. Also there was no statistically significant association between the blood flow and age or gender. Furthermore, the blood flow was related with the horizontal diameter of the MF; however, it was not related with the vertical diameter and the distance to the alveolar crest. Conclusions: USG is quite effective in showing the shape, size, and the location of the MF easily and rapidly. However, it is not as accurate as CBCT in measuring the distance from the MF to alveolar crest. And also it allows to examine the flow rate of mental artery with its Doppler modes.