Prevalence of retromolar canal and its association with mandibular molars: study in CBCT

Investigate the presence and characteristics of the retromolar canal and association with mandibular molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

CBCT images of 200 consecutive patients were analyzed using the Anatomage Invivo 5^® software. Retromolar canal present evaluated the type of trajectory, buccal or lingual location, uni or bilateral, origin and final diameters. Pearson's Chi square test was used to verify the association between the retromolar canal and the presence of the third molar (p ≤ 0.05).

The prevalence of the retromolar canal was 24.5%. The oblique trajectory was the most common (33.3% on the right side and 50% on the left side). Buccal location was the most frequent (right side 50% and left side 70%). The unilateral canal was the most frequent (77.6%). As for the caliber, the diameters vary from 1.12 to 2.37 mm. Regarding the association between the retromolar canal and the third molar, there was no statistically significant difference (right side p = 0.60 and left side p = 0.90).

The retromolar canal is not a rare anatomical variation showing a prevalence of 24.5%. Surgical procedures should consider the presence of the retromolar canal to avoid excessive bleeding, considering its significant caliber.