Genial tubercles: Morphological study of the controversial anatomical landmark using cone beam computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Identification of the morphology of the genial tubercles (GTs) is valuable for different dental applications. The morphological pattern of the GTs is still controversial, and therefore, the study of its morphology using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) plays a valuable role in resolving the controversy. AIM: To assess the morphological pattern, dimensions and position of the GTs using CBCT among a selected Saudi population. METHODS: CBCT records of 155 Saudi subjects (49 female and 106 male) were used to assess the pattern and size of the GTs and to determine the distance from the apices of the lower central incisors to the superior border of the GTs (I-SGT) and the distance from the inferior border of the GTs to the menton (IGT-M). RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the most common morphological pattern was of two superior GTs and a rough impression below them (36.8%), followed by two superior GTs and a median ridge representing fused inferior GTs below them (22.6%) and a single median eminence or projection (20%). The classically described pattern, of two superior and two inferior GTs placed one above the other, was found in only 14.2% of cases, while 6.4% of the studied cases had no GTs. The mean width and height were 6.23 ± 1.93 mm and 6.67 ± 3.04 mm, respectively, while the mean I-SGT and IGT-M measurements were 8.26 ± 2.7 mm and 8.13 ± 3.07 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The GTs are a controversial anatomical landmark with wide variation in their morphological pattern. The most common pattern among the studied Saudi sample was of two superior GTs and a rough impression below them, and there were no significant differences between males and females.