Mandibular canal branching assessed with cone beam computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• The mandibular canal contains the inferior alveolar nerve, vital for dental procedures.
• Anatomical variations, like mandibular canal branching (MCB), increase neurovascular injury risk.
• Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a key imaging modality for dental anatomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of mandibular canal branching (MCB).
• To describe the anatomical locations of MCB.
• To investigate potential associations between MCB and pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 700 standardized CBCT scans.
• Evaluation for the presence and location of MCB.
• Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics and Chi-squared test.

Main Results:

• MCB was identified in 41.1% of the scans.
• No significant gender-based difference in MCB prevalence was observed.
• MCB was most prevalent in the premolar and retromolar regions.
• Pathologies, particularly periapical lesions, were frequently associated with MCB in the molar region (77.8%).

Conclusions:

• Mandibular canal branching is highly prevalent, as shown by CBCT.
• MCB is commonly found in premolar and retromolar areas.
• Accurate diagnosis of MCB and associated pathologies is essential for safe dental practice.