Comparison of ultrasonography and cone-beam computed tomography for quantitative assessment of mental foramen and alveolar crest

Background: The mental foramen (MF) represents an anatomical aperture situated on the anterior aspect of the mandible bilaterally and constitutes a significant reference point for surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography (USG) in determining the location and dimension of the MF and its distance to the alveolar crest in comparison with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: The study was conducted on 27 patients (13 males, 14 females) over 18 years of age (19–73 years) who applied to the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology for a CBCT scan before planning of implant procedures. The vertical diameter of the MF and its distance from the alveolar crest were measured on CBCT cross-sectional slices and compared with the measurements obtained by USG. Results: A total of 54 MFs were evaluated. The measurements of the vertical diameter of MF and its distance to the alveolar crest were consistent between CBCT and USG (P = 0.262 and P = 0.551, respectively). In either technique, the vertical diameter of MF was significantly higher in males whereas the distance to alveolar crest was significantly higher in females (P < 0.001). No significant age differences were observed in USG and CBCT measurements regarding MF diameter and distance to the alveolar crest (P > 0.05) Conclusions: USG is as accurate as CBCT in measuring MF and associated alveolar crest and has the potential for the localization of vital anatomical structures with the advantage of no concern about ionizing radiation. Trial registration: Not applicable.