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Assessment of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve Canal Course Among Saudis by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (Pilot Study)

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Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the relative position and course of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) in relation to the apices of the teeth in Saudi dentate subjects. Measurements were taken using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Patient and Methods

In this cross-sectional retrospective study, 124 cases were selected from the archived images in “Galileos” CBCT machine in Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy. The sample included both males and females with their ages ranging from 15 to 61 years. The distance between the apices of the teeth from the first premolar till the second molar was measured. Also, the distance between the buccal and lingual alveolar plates and the inferior alveolar canal and the distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the alveolar canal were assessed utilizing the cross-sectional images.

Results

The buccolingual linear measurements indicated a lingual course of the canal in both males and females. A significant difference existed between males and females regarding the vertical distance inferior to the IAC at first premolar on the right and left sides, On the right side in females the linear distance was (9.2 mm ± 1.03), and in males (10.9 mm ± 1.5), while on the left side in females the distance was (8.9 mm ± 1.7), while in males (11.3 mm ± 0.34). In 57% of the study group the mental foramen was found between the first and second premolars, while in 35% of the studied cases it was located below the second premolar.

Conclusion

The inferior alveolar canal acquires a lingual course in this selected sample of the Saudi population detected by cone beam computed tomography.

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Abbreviations

IAC:

Inferior alveolar canal

CBCT:

Cone beam computed tomography

MC:

Mandibular canal

V3:

Mandibular division of trigeminal nerve

MF:

Mental foramen

MM:

Mandibular molar

RCsDP:

Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy

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Acknowledgements

All authors like to thank all radiology technicians working in the department of oral maxillofacial radiology for their kind assistance and cooperation.

Authors’ Contributions

SS planned the research idea, selected cases, wrote the manuscript and performed the statistical analysis, while SAS, Z ZAM, FG, MMA, MAA, FS, SZA, M.M.A all worked in the practical part of the research as they performed all the required measurements. This research was a requirement for the study group graduation. Furthermore, M.M. A travelled from Riyadh City to Makkah City to present the article in the form of a poster in the 12th International Dental Conference in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 2015. The poster was awarded the best poster award. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This research is self-funded and did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Riyadh College of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP), 3866 Skyview, St., P.O. Box: L5M 8A1, Mississauga, ON, Canada

    Shereen M. Shokry, Sarah A. Alshaib, Zahra Z. Al Mohaimeed, Farah Ghanimah, Malak M. Altyebe, Mada A. Alenezi, Fai Shadd, Safa Z. Aldali & May M. Alotaibi

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  1. Shereen M. Shokry
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  2. Sarah A. Alshaib
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  3. Zahra Z. Al Mohaimeed
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  6. Mada A. Alenezi
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  7. Fai Shadd
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shereen M. Shokry.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study was approved by the ethical committee of (RCsDP) under the number FIRP/2014/108.

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Shokry, S.M., Alshaib, S.A., Al Mohaimeed, Z.Z. et al. Assessment of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve Canal Course Among Saudis by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (Pilot Study). J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. 18, 452–458 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-018-1167-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-018-1167-3

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