Identification of the Incisive Branch of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve of Edentulous Mandibles Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Abstract

This study explored the average length of the incisive branch of the inferior alveolar nerve on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) regarding patient demographics in patients with edentulous mandibles. CBCT was utilized in a retrospective study of edentulous mandibles to assess the presence and anatomical variation for the incisive branch (IB). Three independent observers measured bilateral IB lengths. In addition to demographics, IB length and port of exit data were obtained. A one-way ANOVA was used to test IB length varied by sex or port of exit, and a standard Pearson's correlation was used to test for IB length and age significance with a significance level of a p-value<0.05. Intraclass correlation coefficients show significant agreement in IB length across all observers. No significant difference was noted between the exit port and IB length. An important effect was reported for sex, indicating women have generally shorter IB lengths (9.43 ± 3.99 vs 10.55 ± 3.92). There was a significant correlation with age, but the relationship was weak. Edentulous mandibles have an altered anatomic landscape and establishing predictive incisive branch dimensions aids practitioners in surgical planning.