Determination of safety zone in the mandibular ramus osteotomies

Although some mandibular, occlusal pathologies can be reformed with orthodontic treatment, dentofacial osteotomies are applied for better functional and cosmetic results. During surgery, safety zone should be determined in order to prevent damage of the inferior alveolar artery/ vein/ nerve structures in this region, increase the success rate of the surgery and to reduce complications may occur. The safety zone is the mandibular ramus osteotomy area, where osteotomy can be performed without damaging the inferior alveolar artery/ vein/ nerve structures. It was aimed to determine the safety zone in the mandibular ramus in the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of individuals between the ages of 18-65 living in Anatolia. It also investigated the presence of antilingula and accessory mandibular foramen. CBCT of 300 individuals evaluated retrospectively. A total of 9 parameters, 5 in sagittal section and 4 in transverse section, were examined on these images. In this study, a total of 9 parameters were measured and statistical analysis was performed. The safety zone was determined in posterior %49 of distance between the mandibular foramen and anterior-posterior margins of mandibular ramus and in the upper %55 of distance between mandibular notch and lower limit of mandibular ramus. We think it will contribute to literature by reducing risk of complications and increasing success rate with safe region. Keywords: Mandibular Foramen, Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Mandibular ramus osteotomy