CBCT Analysis of Prevalence of the Canalis Sinuosus on the Alveolar Ridge in the Site of Endosseous Implant Placement: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract

This study aimed to perform a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis in the Chennai population to check for the prevalence of the canalis sinuosus and its terminal branches in the site of endosseous implant placement in the alveolar ridge of the anterior maxilla. A retrospective analysis was conducted in Saveetha Dental College, Chennai. One hundred (50 male and 50 female) CBCT images that included the maxilla of patients aged 18-65 years were selected at random from the archives of the Oral Implantology Department, which were taken in the period from December 1, 2019 to November 30, 2020. Two examiners assessed all the scans with special training to identify this structure. The CBCTs were examined carefully for the presence of accessory canals and the side of occurrence, gender, relation in proximity to the anterior teeth (central incisors to the first premolar). The diameter of the canal was also noted as either less than 1 mm or greater than 1 mm. Our study showed that accessory canals of the canalis sinuous were identified in a total of 18 patients (4 female, 14 male). This shows that in our study, the prevalence of this structure amongst male patients was 14% and for female patients, it was 4%. This study shows that although the accessory canals of the canalis sinuous in the site of endosseous implant placement are rare, it must not be taken lightly because its occurrence still poses a significant risk of iatrogenic nerve damage, especially during implant placement procedures. In some individuals, the terminal branches of this canal or its accessory canals can sometimes be present in the site of placement of endosseous implants placed in the anterior maxilla. Lack of knowledge and awareness of this structure and the fact that its occurrence is often overlooked due to its rare occurrence causes the potential for iatrogenic damage to the nerve resulting in complications.