Assessment of the mandibular incisive canal using panoramic radiography

Abstract

Purpose: Panoramic radiography is primary and easily used in the dental treatment for preoperative evaluation of the various anatomical structures. The aim of this study was to assess the visibility and anatomical morphology of the mandibular incisive canal using panoramic radiography. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs were obtained from 60 patients (30 males, 30 females; mean age 49.5 years) using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocols. The visibility of the mandibular incisive canal, the origin and end points according to the tooth level, and horizontal distance between two points were measured. The diameter of the incisive canal at the origin point and the vertical distance between each origin and end points and the inferior border of the mandible were investigated. The significant difference between gender, age, and mandible side were analyzed on all measurements parameters. Results: The mandibular incisive canal was visible in 56 cases (46.7%) radiographs. The mean origin and end points according to tooth level were located between the second premolar and the first premolar and the canine, respectively, and the horizontal distance was 9.61±3.74 mm. The mean diameter at the origin point was 2.96±0.55 mm and the mean vertical distance at the origin and end points were 11.48±1.59 and 10.96±2.08 mm, respectively. The mandibular incisive canal showed statistically significant differences in all measurements parameters on gender. Conclusion:The mandibular incisive canal in panoramic radiography presented the low detection rate. However, these results can provide primary morphological features of the mandibular incisive canal on panoramic radiographs which is widely used in dental practices.