Radiographic Assessment of Anatomy of Nasopalatine Canal for Dental Implant Placement: A Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Study

The aim of this study is to assess the morphology of nasopalatine canal (NPC) with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

A total of 460 subjects of both genders were subjected to CBCT with NewTom machine, and sagittal and coronal sections were used for evaluation of the shape of NPC and width of buccal cortical plate. Types of NPC were also assessed.

Of 460 subjects, males were 210 and females were 250. The difference was nonsignificant (p = 0.1). Type III canals were mostly seen in both males and females, followed by types I and II. The mean length of NPC in males and females showed statistical significant difference (p < 0.05). Males showed significantly higher diameter of nasal opening, oral opening, and width of the buccal bone plate over the oral opening as compared with females.

The exact location, morphology, and dimensions of NPC can be well visualized with CBCT. All findings were higher in males as compared with females.

The success of dental implant in maxillary anterior region may be affected by the approximation with NPC. The exact location and morphology play an important role for the correct placement of implant. Cone beam computed tomography is a useful tool providing three-dimensional images in all sections.