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Three-dimensional study of nasopalatine canal morphology: a descriptive retrospective analysis using cone-beam computed tomography

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Abstract

Purpose

For dental implant treatment planning and placement, a precise anatomic description of the nasopalatine canal (NC) is necessary. This descriptive retrospective study evaluated dimensions of the NC and buccal bone plate (BBP) and the tridimensional association of the anatomic variants of NC, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

This study included 230 CBCTs. Sagittal slices were used for measurements of the NC and BBP and to evaluate shape and direction-course of the NC. Coronal slices were used to assess NC shape and axial slices to assess number of incisive foramina and foramina of Stenson.

Results

Mean NC length was 12.34 ± 2.79 mm, statistically significant differences were detected between genders (p < 0.001). Mean BBP length was 20.87 ± 3.68 mm, statistically significant differences were found for the dental status (p < 0.001) and mean BBP width was 6.83 ± 1.28 mm, significant differences were detected between genders (p < 0.001). Mean nasopalatine angle was 73.33° ± 8.11°, significant differences were found in sagittal and coronal classifications. The most prevalent canal was: cylindrical sagittal shape (48.2 %); slanted-straight direction-course (57.6 %); Ya-type coronal shape (42.4 %); and one foramen incisive with two Stenson’s foramina (1–2) (50.9 %). Sagittal shape was associated with sagittal direction-course (p < 0.001). Coronal shape was associated with axial classification (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The NC anatomy is highly variable. Gender is related to the NC length and BBP width, while dental status is related to BBP length. There was an association between the different sagittal classifications of the NC and between the coronal shape and axial classification.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the radiologist Lilian Sampedro Crujeiras, for her exceptional work in the Radiology Unit. For the statistical analysis, we greatly appreciate the work done by Sara Marsillas Rascado from the Department of Basic, Social Psychology and Methodology at the Psychology School.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

This study complies with the current laws of Galicia (Spain) and it was approved by the Galician Ethics Committee of Clinical Research (Ref: 2012/272). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients to participate in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Stomatology, Medicine and Dentistry School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/Entrerrios S/N, 15872, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    A. Fernández-Alonso, J. Muinelo-Lorenzo, A. Blanco-Carrión & M. M. Suárez-Cunqueiro

  2. Department of Anatomy, Medicine and Dentistry School, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    J. A. Suárez-Quintanilla

  3. Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    M. M. Bornstein

Authors
  1. A. Fernández-Alonso
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  2. J. A. Suárez-Quintanilla
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  3. J. Muinelo-Lorenzo
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  4. M. M. Bornstein
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  5. A. Blanco-Carrión
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  6. M. M. Suárez-Cunqueiro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. M. Suárez-Cunqueiro.

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Fernández-Alonso, A., Suárez-Quintanilla, J.A., Muinelo-Lorenzo, J. et al. Three-dimensional study of nasopalatine canal morphology: a descriptive retrospective analysis using cone-beam computed tomography. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 895–905 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-014-1297-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-014-1297-3

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