The identification of the mandibular canal (MC) is an important prerequisite for surgical procedures involving the posterior mandible. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) represents an advance in imaging technology, but distinguishing the MC from surrounding structures may remain a delicate task.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the visibility of the MC in different regions on CBCT cross-sectional images.Material and methodsCBCT cross-sectional images of 58 patients (116 hemi-mandibles) were analyzed, and the visibility of the MC in different regions was assessed.ResultsThe MC was clearly visible in 53% of the hemi-mandibles. Difficult and very difficult visualizations were registered in 25% and 22% of the hemi-mandibles, respectively. The visibility of the MC on distal regions was superior when compared to regions closer to the mental foramen. No differences were found between edentulous and tooth-bearing areas.ConclusionsThe MC presents an overall satisfactory visibility on CBCT cross-sectional images in most cases. However, the discrimination of the canal from its surrounds becomes less obvious towards the mental foramen region when cross-sectional images are individually analyzed.

Objectives: This study investigated the association of congenital cervical vertebrae anomalies (CVA) with the prevalence of cleft lip and palate (CLP) specifying the most frequent associations. Methods: A meta-analysis was based on the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. A search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and Lilacs database was performed until March 2018. Clinical studies that evaluated CVA in individuals with CLP (experimental group) and without CLP (control group) was included. For the statistical analysis, the software Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Biostat; Englewood, NJ) was used, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 10 articles were included, for a total of 2566 individuals with CLP and 2301 individuals without CLP. The meta-analysis indicated statistically significant differences and the group of individuals with CLP had an increased number of CVA when compared to the group of individuals without CLP (p < 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 2.41–6.11; heterogeneity: Q-value 32.8, I2 72.6%). Conclusions: This study indicated that CVA are associated with the presence of CLP. Among the patients with CVA the most frequent anomalies were the deficiency of the posterior arch, followed by the fusion of cervical vertebrae. Individuals with cleft palate and those with unilateral cleft lip and palateCLP had an increased prevalence of CVA.

ZA treatment induced bone corticalization and decreased alveolar bone vascularization. VOI-2 should be preferred for micro-CT evaluation of the effect of bisphosphonates on alveolar bone. This analysis allowed the effect of ZA on alveolar bone and its vascularization to be characterized. The results of this analysis may add further knowledge to the understanding of the physiopathology of osteonecrosis of the jaw.

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