Importance of Localization of the Mandibular Foramen for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in a Tertiary Care Hospital

BACKGROUND: The location of mandibular foramen (MF) is a significant anatomical landmark for efficient anaesthesia in many procedures, including dental extraction from the lower jaw and putting mandibular implants. Numerous causes have been examined in this context, and the uncertainty success rate of inferior alveolar nerve block is extremely less due to incorrect localization of the mandibular foramen leading to inappropriate position of the needle. Objective: The current study has been conceded out on dry mandibles to decide the exact location of mandibular foramen from different landmarks of mandible to provide with the appropriate data to help the surgeons to place the Mandibular foramen with more correctness for doing well Inferior Alveolar Nerve block. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the department of anatomy, GITAM medical college. A total of 100 dry mandibles were studied on its both sides to locate the mandibular foramen using digital Vernier callipers. Results: The Mean and standard deviation values on right and left sides of the mandibles to locate the mandibular foramen from its anterior border are 17.12 (�2.69), 18.01 (�2.61), posterior border 11.49 (�2.01), 11.39 (�2.61), Mandibular notch 23.05 (�3.60), 24.02 (�3.68), angle of Mandible 24.07 (�4.82), 24.03 (�4.66) and 3M-third molar to mandibular foramen 18.03 (�3.68), 16.8 (�3.66) respectively. Conclusion: The sympathetic of the landmarks for position of mandibular foramen and frequency of variations like incidence of accessory mandibular foramen is of a considerable significance for the surgeons, oncologists and radiologists to carry out successful inferior alveolar nerve anaesthesia, dento alveolar surgeries, endodontic treatments and lesions diagnosis and prevent the injure of neurovascular structures transient through it and thus the complications occurred as an outcome of it.