Purpose: To assess the morphology of nasopalatine canal and to determine the variation of this canal in correlations to age and gender in Iraqi sample using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: A total of 200 requested CBCT images for nasopalatine canal evaluation before dental implantology at the anterior maxillary region. The morphology of canals was classified into 3 groups in coronal cross-sections. The effects of age and gender were also measured. Results: The study comprised 100 males and 100 females with mean age of 30.64 ± 9.46 years. Most of the cases showed Y-shape configuration type III 43.5% followed by type I single canal 35.5%, and type II with 2 parallel canals 21%, Conclusion: Due to the wide variation in the morphology of nasopalatine canals, it is highly recommended to perform CBCT evaluation to the anterior maxilla before dental implantology in order to prevent any damage to the neurovascular bundle.

Results: Round shape condyle is more frequent than other varieties and angled shape was the less frequent shape. There was no significant difference between gender and condyle shape but the round and angled shape were more obvious in females than males. Convex type was more prevalent to shown bilateral symmetrical shape than other varieties, the condylar head mean of width measuring was 14.85 mm in age group 20 to 29 comparable to 14.45 mm and 14.42 mm in age groups 30 to 39 and 40 to 50 years, respectively. Conclusion: CBCT facilitates the precise examination of TMJ in 3 planes that play a great role in an accurate visualization of the condyle to provide early diagnosis for any disorder in the region.

Abstract

Background: Cone beam computerized computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely indicated in dental implant procedure. The first step that the doctors should perform in local hospitals is to use orthopantomography for surgical planning to avoid and limit the risk of complications. As a result, determining the magnification amount of orthopantomography to achieve a precise diagnosis is clinically important. This study investigated the difference in measurement of the mental foramen (MF) position before dental surgery using 2 views of CBCT. Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography scan was performed for 100 patients who required implant placement. In the panoramic and three-dimensional views of CBCT, the vertical distance between the margin of the mandible and the lower border of MF, and the horizontal distance between the mandibular symphysis and the mesial anterior border of MF were calculated. The differences between the 2 views were compared using Wilcoxonrank U test with P value 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The findings of this study showed a substantial statistical difference in the horizontal distance for the dentate patients in panoramic and three-dimensional views (22.7 AE 3.04 versus 21.1 AE 1.6), (22.5 AE 2.4 versus 20.9 AE 1.5) and left side (22.4 AE 2.8 versus 21.2 AE 1.6), (22.4 AE 2.8 versus 20.6 AE 1.4) of both genders. Concerning the vertical distance, a significant difference was also observed in the dentate (12.1 AE 2.1 versus 11.1 AE 1.4), (10.6 AE 1.4 versus 9.6 AE 1.3) and left side of the jaw (11.6 AE 1.95 versus 10.9 AE 1.2), (10.5 AE 1.2 versus 9.96 AE 1.4) for both genders in both views. In the edentulous and right side of the jaw, however no statistical difference was observed between male and female patients in terms of horizontal and vertical measurements.