Cone Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of Median Mandibular Lingual Canal in a Western Indian Subpopulation: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The Mandibular Lingual Canals (MLC), which carry the sublingual artery, are present in the mandible near the genial tubercle. Identification of these canals is important before any dental surgical procedures. Aim: To identify and evaluate the mandibular lingual canal in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) of the Western Indian Population. Materials and Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara, Gujarat, India between October 2022 and June 2023. A total of 100 CBCT volumes showing the mandibular anterior region were evaluated for the presence or absence of a mandibular lingual canal. The canals were further evaluated for their number, diameter, length, thickness of the buccal cortical plate, and the remaining bone above and below the canal. The evaluation was done by two separate investigators. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel and subjected to statistical analysis. Data collected were tested statistically using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 59 males and 41 females’ mandibular CBCT volumes were evaluated, out of which 93 CBCT volumes showed the mandibular lingual canal. The maximum number (n=57) of individuals showed three canals, followed by two canals (n=26) and one canal (n=10). There was no statistical significance between genders regarding canal number, diameter, length, thickness of the buccal cortical plate, and the remaining bone above and below the canal. Conclusion: Three-canal morphology was the most common anatomical form of MLC found in the Western Indian population.