The mandibular incisive canal and its anatomical relationships: A cone beam computed tomography study

BACKGROUND: To avoid postoperative injuries in the interforaminal region, presence of the Mandibular Incisive Canal (MIC), its extension and canal positioning in relation to the cortical bone and alveolar process were investigated by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred CBCT examinations obtained by means of the i-CAT CBCT imaging system were analyzed in multiple-plane views (axial, panoramic and cross-sectional) and three-dimensional representations were performed using iCAT CBCT software. The MIC was evaluated for its presence, measurement and proximity to the buccal and lingual plates, alveolar process and inferior border of the mandible. RESULTS: The MIC was visible in all (100%) CBCT images. The mean length of MIC was 9.8 ± 3.8 mm. The distances between the canal and buccal plate, as well as between the canal and lingual plate of the alveolar bone were 4.62 ± 1.41 mm and 6.25 ± 2.03 mm, respectively. The distances from the canal to the alveolar process, and to the inferior border of the mandible were 10.25 ± 2.27 mm and 7.06 ± 2.95 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high prevalence of MIC, its variation in length and distance up to the cortical bone, suggested that preoperative radiographic evaluation of the MIC must be carried out case-by-case using CBCT, which could clearly show the three-dimensional structure and adjacent structure of the MIC. Key words:Diagnosis, anatomy, cross-sectional, tomography.