Background: presence of lingual vascular foramina and canals in the interforaminal region may increase the risk ofsurgical complications during implant placement or any surgical procedure in this area. Aim of this study is the radiological evaluation of the anatomic characteristic of the lingual foramina and their vascular canals in the anterior of the mandible using cone beam computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Prospective study including 72 Iraqi subjects (31 male and 41 female) ranging from 20 to 59 years, all subjects attended Al-Sharaa dental clinic in AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf city, scanned with CBCT from September 2016 to February 2017. Using 3dimentional and sagittal cross section to detect lingual foramina and their vascular canals. Their presence, number, diameter, position, and orientation were established. Results: Lingual foramina in the anterior mandible were viewed in whole sample. Number of lingual canals varied from (1-5), the average diameter of the canals was 0.81 mm. The average distance from the foramina to the base of the mandible and to the alveolar crest was 13.78 mm and 16.05mm respectively. There was no significant correlation found between age and gender on all selected measurements. There was significant association of diameter of lingual foramen with the count, situation, extent and direction of lingual canal through the mandible width. Conclusion: Cone beam computed tomography is an invaluable system in diagnosis and treatment planning of surgical procedures. It help in detection of various anatomic features of mandible like presence of lingual foramen and canals in the anterior mandible.
