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Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Analysis of the Course and Position of Mandibular Canal

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Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Estimation of the relative position of infra alveolar nerve (IAN) canal and its relation to the mandibular anatomical landmarks can be clinically useful in minimizing the risk of surgery complications such as neurosensory disturbances that may occur after invasive mandibular surgical procedures. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anatomic location and radiographic course of the mandibular canal compared to anatomic landmarks on CBCT and to discuss its clinical significance and also to determine the possible correlations between the mandibular position and the age of the patients.

Methods

This cross sectional study was conducted on 242 CBCT of patients (99 males and 143 females). The location of canal was evaluated in 4 different regions. The first section in trans-axial view after mental foramen, in which the loop of mandibular canal is formed, was selected as point 1 for measurement and intervals of 10 mm, respectively, points 2, 3, 4 were selected for measurement. On these sections, the shortest linear distances (mm) from the most buccal and lingual aspects of the canal to the corresponding cortical plates of the mandible and also the minimum linear distance between the inferior aspect of canal and inferior border of mandible in these regions were calculated.

Results

There was statistically significant correlation between the anatomic course of the canal and the patients’ gender. The mean vertical position of the canal, as measured from the lower border of the IAN canal to the inferior border of the mandible, was 8.50 mm, ranging from 4.80 to 14.50 mm. On average, the mandibular canal was situated more lingually at all sites to the point it reached the mental foramen. However, at the mental foramen region (Point 1), it was located closer to the buccal cortical plate.

Conclusion

Assessment of the exact course of the IAN preoperatively along the body of the mandible by using CBCT might contribute to efficient and accurate surgical planning and therefore positively influence the surgical results. The results of this study confirm the necessity of using CBCT before invasive surgical procedures to determine the variations in the relative position and course of IAN canal.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Vice-Chancellery of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for supporting this research. The authors also thank Dr. Vosoughi of the Dental Research Development Center, of the School of Dentistry for the statistical analysis and Dr. Amal Saleh for improving the use of English in the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Hooman Khorshidi & Saeed Raoofi

  2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Janan Ghapanchi

  3. Biomaterial Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Shoaleh Shahidi

  4. Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Ghasrodasht Street, 7144833586, Shiraz, Iran

    Maryam Paknahad

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  1. Hooman Khorshidi
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  2. Saeed Raoofi
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  3. Janan Ghapanchi
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  4. Shoaleh Shahidi
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Correspondence to Maryam Paknahad.

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Khorshidi, H., Raoofi, S., Ghapanchi, J. et al. Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Analysis of the Course and Position of Mandibular Canal. J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. 16, 306–311 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-016-0956-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-016-0956-9

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