Evaluation of Intermental Foramina Distance among South Indian Population

Background: The intermental foramina distance varies between ethnicities, according to an OPG (orthopantomogram), which is a form of dental x-ray. The mandibular foramen has a bony canal developed in the mandible at two independent anatomies and its rim is 'v' shaped, that was its common form where the groove separating the anterior and posterior parts is horizontally orientated rim which is an oval shaped rim. The placement of the mandibular foramen varies by ethnicity; the intermental foramina distance is always measured from the mandibles' mid-line. Materials and Methods: The OPGs are collected from the private dental college and hospital in chennai. The location of mental foramen is identified and the intermental foramina distance is calculated by adobe photoshop. The collected data is analysed using SPSS software. Results: The average intermental foramen distance in the south Indian population was 4.93 cm. Males have a 5.14 cm inter mental foramen, whereas females have a 4.76 cm inter mental foramen. With a p value of 0.001, there is a significant difference in the intermental foramina distance between the genders in the south Indian population. Conclusion: Within the restrictions of the study, it may be stated that there is a significant difference in the intermental foramina distance between men and women in the south Indian Original Research Article Jeeva and Prathap; JPRI, 33(60B): 3259-3266, 2021; Article no.JPRI.78955 3260 population, with a p value of 0.001. The dentist's understanding of the intermental foramina difference is critical when performing implants, orthodontic surgery, and periodontal surgery. It aids the dentist in planning the drilling of the lower jaw bone.

population, with a p value of 0.001. The dentist's understanding of the intermental foramina

INTRODUCTION
OPG (Orthopantomogram) is a type of dental xray in which it has been discovered that the intermental foramen differs by ethnicity. It's worth noting that the most visible area is below the second premolar [1]. The mandibular foramen is a bony canal developed in the mandible at two different anatomies, with a 'V' shaped rim. It has been revealed that the position of the mental foramen varies by ethnic group [2]. The mental foramen is most usually seen beneath the second premolar. Individual variation does exist, and it can be observed commonly anywhere between the premolar and mesial different planes, which are horizontal and thus vertical planes [3]. The horizontal position of the mental foramen was noted as being either parallel to the tooth's longitudinal axis or between two teeth [4]. The mental foramen's vertical location should be coronal to the apex, at the apex, or apical to the apex [5].
Various markers on the jaw were used in some investigations to determine the position of the mental foramen. The symphysis menti, 6 posterior boundaries of the ramus of the mandible (in horizontal plane), and therefore the lower border of the body of the mandible are some of the most widely utilised landmarks (in vertical plane) [6]. Using the midline of the jaw as an anatomical marker, numerous experiments are conducted to measure the distance between the interforamina. According to Shank-land, the mandibular foramen is located 28 mm from the mandible's midline and 14-15 mm from the inferior border [7]. The experience from our previous studies [8-17) have led us to focus on the current topic.
It also serves as a conduit for the evacuation of mental nerves and vessels, the majority of which are orientated postero-superiorly. An auxiliary mental foramen (AMF) is a foramen that is found below the first molar of teeth and is in addition or additional to the mental foramen (MF). The AMF transmits the branches of the mental nerves [18]. Interforaminal distance is critical in evaluating the scenario and, as a result, the number of implants to be placed within the interforaminal area of a complete edentulous patient [18,19]. Our team has extensive knowledge and research experience that has translate into high quality publications [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. The purpose of this study is to assess and investigate the distance between the intermental foramina in the south Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHOD
This is a retrospective panoramic radiography study conducted in a private dental college and hospital in Chennai and the study was approved by the institutional review board. Random sampling was done to select the participants for this study. A total of 100 panoramic radiographs orthopantomogram (OPG) of South Indian population of both sexes having visible mental foramina were collected. All panoramic radiographs were taken using Siemens Orthophos (Sirona) with magnification of 1.2. The radiographs were chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria listed below. ethnicity of South India, In terms of geometric precision and visual contrast, the image is of high quality. The inclusion criteria include panoramic radiographs with bilaterally evident mental foramina. The exclusion criteria used in this study were poor OPG quality, radiopaque or radiolucent lesion within the lower arch, fractured mental foramen region, and a broken lower jaw that had been removed. Because unerupted teeth may hide the appearance of the mental foramen, the presence of supernumerary or unerupted teeth should be avoided.
Any radiographic exposure or processing artifacts. Adobe photoshop was used to view the x-ray, the magnification was 1.2, to calculate the intermental foramen the ruler option is selected on adobe photoshop and the vertical and horizontal markings done and the distance measured on each side of the mental foramen region. A vertical line marking the midline was drawn passing between the maxillary central incisors, the mandibular central incisors, or the septum (if the maxillary and mandibular central incisors were missing) by employing a ruler. The Collection of OPG's of mandibles is done, identifying the location of mental foramen in it and evaluating the intermental foramina distance and then entering the collected data into microsoft excel and analysing the data using the IBM SPSS software.

RESULTS
Based on the selection criteria, 100 OPGs were chosen. Males made up 47 percent of the group, while females made up 53 percent. (Fig1) The youngest patient was 11 years old, while the oldest patient was 87. Females made up a greater percentage of the population, according to gender data (53 percent). The age group distribution of the people who participated in this study is as follows: people aged 1 to 15 belong to category 1 for 14 percent; people aged 16 to 30 belong to category 2 for 29 percent; people aged 31 to 45 belong to category 3 for 21 percent; people aged 46 to 60 belong to category 4 for 25 percent; and people aged 65 and over belong to category 5 for 11 percent. It is undeniable that the 16-to-30-year-old age range has a higher prevalence of on this study (Fig. 2). The average inter-mental foramen distance in the South Indian population is 49.93 mm (Fig. 3) Males have a 5.14 cm inter mental foramen, whereas females have a 4.76 cm inter mental foramen. With a p value of 0.001, there is a significant difference in the intermental foramina distance between the genders in the south Indian population.

DISCUSSION
This study has shown that the evaluation of the intermental foramina distance among the South Indian population has some little variations but it is statistically significant. The intermental foramina distance among the south Indian population varies from person to person and also has a huge difference between the geographical population when compared. Our study findings have coincided with those of Mohammed Jasim Al-Juboori and K .Udhaya., et al in different populations. These findings were significant with the higher prevalence of the position. The Nigerians and Kenyans have shown us the most common position followed by the Malays and Srilankan populations. They have shared the most similar intermental foramina distance [42]. The distance between the  Limitations of this study are low case study, random sampling, lesser time limit, ethical issues in identifying opg's and names that can't be revealed. The data collected are highly confidential. Dental implants and other major/minor surgery can be easily done with the identification of the intermental foramina distance, preparation for the surgery can be easily made according to the requirements. Future studies with large sample size should be conducted for more reliable results and to make the context evident.

CONCLUSION
From the results of the study within the limitations it can be concluded that there is a significant difference in the intermental foramina distance between the gender among the south Indian population with p value 0.001.The knowledge on the intermental foramina difference is the important measure for the dentist while performing the implants, orthodontic surgery, and periodontal surgery. It helps the dentist to make the planning for drilling the lower jaw bone

DISCLAIMER
The products used for this research are commonly and predominantly use products in our area of research and country. There is absolutely no conflict of interest between the authors and producers of the products because we do not intend to use these products as an avenue for any litigation but for the advancement of knowledge. Also, the research was not funded by the producing company rather it was funded by personal efforts of the authors.

CONSENT
It is not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It is not applicable.