Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Assessment of Bifid and Trifid Mandibular Canals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Autor: Silvia D’Agostino, Giulia Valentini, Alessandro Baldini, Elisabetta Ferrara, Marco Dolci
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Oral, Vol 3, Iss 2, Pp 266-275 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2673-6373
DOI: 10.3390/oral3020022
Popis: The exact knowledge of the mandibular canal position is fundamental in oral surgery and implantology. Clinicians have to be extremely cautious when operating in close proximity to this structure in order to avoid damaging the neurovascular bundle. Several anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have been described in the literature, such as bifid or trifid structures. The use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers a detailed representation of the inferior alveolar nerve path, albeit with some difficulties of identification when dental implants or metal prosthesis are present. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence and location of bifid/trifid mandibular canals (BMC/TMC) by CBCT in Italian patients. The screening phase involved 584 patients, only 238 enrolled (97 men; 141 women), with an average age of 51 ± 17.20. A total of 36 patients (15.25%) showed at least one bifid mandibular canal; only 2 patients (0.84%) showed a trifid mandibular canal. Overall, 12 patients (5.04%) presented this variation bilaterally. There was no association with the sex of the enrolled sample. In conclusion, the presence of BMCs and TMCs may be considered as a risk factor for the onset of neurovascular complications. Being aware of changes in the mandibular canal helps clinicians to prevent inferior alveolar nerve impairments that may occur during oral surgery and implantology.
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