Evaluation of the nasopalatine canal with cone-beam computed tomography in an Iranian population

BACKGROUND: Implant placement plays a vital role in oral rehabilitation following loss of the incisors. Thus, having knowledge of anatomical variations of adjacent neurovascular structures especially the nasopalatine canal (NPC) is essential. Due to the lack of basic information in Iran about the morphology of this canal and the probability of its variety in different populations, this study was designed on an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive study, we selected cone-beam computed tomography images of 198 patients comprising of 98 males and 100 females in two dental groups (edentulous or dentate). The shape of the nasopalatine foramen and the form of the canal in axial views were assessed. Then, the canal height and its diameter at the palatal, middle and nasal levels in cross-sectional images were measured. The available bone in the buccal and palatal sides of the canal was assessed. Data analysis was carried out using a Chi-square test and an independent t-test (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The majority of the samples (81.8%) presented a single foramen. Cylindrical shape (57.6%) was the most frequently detected canal form. The mean of the estimated canal height was 12.84 ± 2.88 mm. The canal diameter at the palatal level between the sexes and dental groups showed statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: In our investigated population, the NPC form was mainly cylindrical with a single opening foramen. The mean of the canal height was higher than that found in other populations. Furthermore, the canal diameter in the edentulous group was greater than that observed in the other group.