The incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in Koreans by using cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

PurposeThis study was performed to investigate the incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in a Korean population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.Materials and MethodsCBCT images of 1933 patients (884 male and 1049 female) were evaluated using PSR-9000N and Alphard-Vega 3030 Dental CT units (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Image analysis was performed by using OnDemand3D software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The bifid mandibular canal was identified and classified into four types, namely, the forward canal, buccolingual canal, dental canal, and retromolar canal. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).ResultsBifid mandibular canals were observed in 198 (10.2%) of 1933 patients. The most frequently observed type of bifid mandibular canal was the retromolar canal (n=104, rate: 52.5%) without any significant difference among the incidence of each age and gender. The mean diameter of the accessory canal was 1.27 mm (range: 0.27-3.29 mm) without any significant difference among the mean diameter of each type of the bifid mandibular canal. The mean length of the bifid mandibular canals was 14.97mm(range: 2.17-38.8 mm) with only a significant difference between the dental canal and the other types.ConclusionThe bifid mandibular canal is not uncommon in Koreans and has a prevalence of 10.2% as indicated in the present study. It is suggested that a CBCT examination be recommended for detecting a bifid canal.

Descriptive study of the bifid mandibular canals and retromolar foramina: cone beam CTvspanoramic radiography

“…The only studies available describe the presence of BMCs on PANs without analysing potential influencing factors. Previous research conducted using various populations have described BMCs on multislice CT and CBCT, 3,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] and have reported a wide variation in frequency, ranging from 10% 13 to 65%. 3 The present study is in line with Fu et al 10 who identified BMCs in 30.6% of patients and 18.5% of total hemimandibles, and Orhan et al 12 who observed BMCs in 27% of patients.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6] The reported rate of bifid mandibular canals (BMCs) on PAN ranged from 0.08% to 8.30%, whereas on CBCT, it ranged from 10% to 66%. 3,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] One type of BMC is the retromolar canal, which ends in the retromolar foramen (RF). CBCT studies 14,15 have reported rates of RF between 16% and 65%, 3,11,[13][14][15][16] similar to dry mandible studies ranging from 1.7% to 72.0%, [17][18][19] whereas PANs have yielded a lower range.…”

Anatomical variations of mandibular canal detected by panoramic radiography and CT: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…28 The rest 3,18,21,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] of the studies were published in dental journals. Sample sizes ranged from 308 38 to 1933 32 CT images and from 350 39 to 6000 panoramic radiographic images.…”

“…28 The rest 3,18,21,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] of the studies were published in dental journals. Sample sizes ranged from 308 38 to 1933 32 CT images and from 350 39 to 6000 panoramic radiographic images. 21 The studies were conducted in nine different countries: Brazil, 30,34,36,37 Canada, 28 Chile, 39 India, 33 Korea, 29,31,32,35 South Africa, 3 Spain, 18 Taiwan 38 and USA.…”

“…21 The studies were conducted in nine different countries: Brazil, 30,34,36,37 Canada, 28 Chile, 39 India, 33 Korea, 29,31,32,35 South Africa, 3 Spain, 18 Taiwan 38 and USA. 21 Most of the articles were published in English, 3,18,21,28,29,[31][32][33][34][35]38,39 and three articles were published in Portuguese. 30,36,37 Most studies included imaging examinations of patients referred for lower third molar surgery and implant placement.…”