Morphological and volumetric evaluation of the nasopalatinal canal in a Turkish population using cone-beam computed...

To establish (nasopalatine canal) NPC morphology and obtain linear and volumetric measurements using CBCT images.

We evaluated CBCT scans of 252 patients. NPC shape was classified as belonging to six groups. Following measurements were recorded: M1, nasal foramen diameter; M2, incisive foramen diameter; M3, NPC length; M4, distance from the buccal border of the incisive foramen to the facial aspect of the buccal bone plate; M5, distance from the buccal bone wall of the NPC to the facial aspect of the buccal bone plate; and M6, distance from the buccal border in the middle of the NPC to the facial aspect of the buccal bone plate. Volume and surface area measurements of the NPC were also conducted. Sex, age and maxillary anterior teeth status (MCI) were recorded. Four-way repeated ANOVA was performed. Significance level was set at p < 0.05.

With the exception of M4 and M5, the relationship between MCI and all linear measurements was statistically significant. Patient sex had a significant effect on all NPC measurements with the exception of nasal foramen diameter, with all measurements greater in males than females (p < 0.001). NPC volume was found to vary significantly by patient sex (p = 0.042), with mean NPC volume values of 55.171 mm(3) for females and 72.966 mm(3) for males.

The measurements conducted around nasopalatine canal provided useful information prior to implant placement in the anterior maxilla.