Assessment of Anatomical Variations of Mandibular Canal Depicted in Panoramic Radiography

BACKGROUND: Anatomical variations of the mandibular canal play a vital role while performing surgical procedures affecting an area with mandibular canal course in the mandible. The neurovascular bundle may be severed during surgical procedures carried out mandible. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present retrospective study was aimed to assess and evaluate the mandibular canal and its variations on the panoramic radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 88 randomly selected panoramic radiographs with complete mandible and associated bone. On a panoramic radiograph, the following parameters were assessed including bifid mandibular canal and location of bifurcation, the diameter of the mandibular canal as recorded in the first molar region, trabeculation in submandibular gland fossa, anterior loop measurement, direction and diameter of the bifid mandibular canal were all evaluated. Statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: In 51 hemimandibles, the mandibular canal was found to be corticalized, whereas in 21.59% (n = 19), the mandibular canal was visible. In the remaining 20.45% (n = 18) of the study participants, the mandibular canal was not visualized. In the submandibular gland fossa region, diminished trabeculation was seen in 55.68% of the evaluated radiographs, whereas trabeculation was not seen at all in the remaining 23.86% of the subjects. A significant correlation was seen in decreased trabeculation of submandibular gland fossa and absence of the mandibular canal (P value < 0.001). The bifid mandibular canal was seen in 19.31% of the study participants (n = 17) with a mean width of 3.12 ± 1.1 mm. Extension of the anterior loop of the mental nerve was seen as up to 2 mm in majority participants in 67.04% individuals (n = 59). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that panoramic radiographs are a reliable tool for assessment of the mandibular canal and associated anatomical variations associated with it.