The mandibular incisive canal and its anatomical relationships: A cone beam computed tomography study

Abstract

BackgroundTo avoid postoperative injuries in the interforaminal region, presence of the Mandibular Incisive Canal (MIC), its extension and canal positioning in relation to the cortical bone and alveolar process were investigated by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and MethodsOne hundred CBCT examinations obtained by means of the i-CAT CBCT imaging system were analyzed in multiple-plane views (axial, panoramic and cross-sectional) and three-dimensional representations were performed using iCAT CBCT software. The MIC was evaluated for its presence, measurement and proximity to the buccal and lingual plates, alveolar process and inferior border of the mandible.ResultsThe MIC was visible in all (100%) CBCT images. The mean length of MIC was 9.8 ± 3.8 mm. The distances between the canal and buccal plate, as well as between the canal and lingual plate of the alveolar bone were 4.62 ± 1.41 mm and 6.25 ± 2.03 mm, respectively. The distances from the canal to the alveolar process, and to the inferior border of the mandible were 10.25 ± 2.27 mm and 7.06 ± 2.95 mm, respectively.ConclusionsDue to the high prevalence of MIC, its variation in length and distance up to the cortical bone, suggested that preoperative radiographic evaluation of the MIC must be carried out case-by-case using CBCT, which could clearly show the three-dimensional structure and adjacent structure of the MIC. Key words:Diagnosis, anatomy, cross-sectional, tomography.

Mandibular incisive canal-related prevalence, morphometric parameters, and implant placement implications: a multicenter study of 847 CBCT scans

“…These findings corroborate those by Pires et al (17), who reported similar values for the initial and final portion of the MIC. According to studies from the United States (17), Iran (20), China (10), and Brazil (18), the MIC was closer to the buccal cortex than to the lingual cortex during its intraosseous path, and in agreement with the present study. Lim et al (19) reported that MIC deviated lingually from its starting point towards its endpoint in the mandible.…”

“…In relation to investigations that used different image acquisition protocols, Apostolakis and Brown (15) reported a mean CIM length of 8.9 mm, while the present study found a mean length of 7.7 mm. However, this length is higher than the values for the right (7.1 mm) and left (6.6 mm) sides reported by Pires et al (18). In addition, previous studies have reported relatively greater mean lengths for the MIC, including 9.97 mm (13) The smaller diameter and poorer corticalization of the MIC compared with the mandibular canal make its visibility a challenge.…”

Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction of the Genial Spinal Canal

“…Although the genial spinal canal is seldom described in anatomy textbooks, it is doubtless present in almost 100% of cases as confirmed by different investigations (Liang et al, 2006;Birkenfeld et al, 2015;Ferreira Barbosa et al, 2019;Gilis et al, 2019). In the literature, there is some confusion about the nomenclature of this structure in the mandible (He et al, 2017), possibly because there is no defined term for it in the official terminologia anatomica (FIPAT, 2011) In some publications, the term "incisive canal" is used (Serman, 1989;Jacobs et al, 2002;Mraiwa et al, 2003;Raitz et al, 2014;Pereira-Maciel et al, 2015;Ramesh et al, 2015;Gomes et al, 2018;Ferreira Barbosa et al, 2019;Gilis et al, 2019). However, that term refers to the maxillary incisor canal and according to the anatomical nomenclature is incorrect in the context of the mandible.…”

Assessment of the mandibular incisive canal by panoramic radiograph and cone-beam computed tomography

“…Additionally, some authors believe that the incisive nerve runs through the intramedullary spaces, and not within a bony canal, therefore, is not commonly detected by conventional radiography. 21,25 In fact, the same limitation can be valid for CBCT as well due to the lack of well-defined MIC in the anterior part of the mandible. 26 An incisive bundle can be seen as having complete, partial, or no cortical walls.…”