Morphology study of mandibular incisive canal in adults based on cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

To investigate the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Fifty adults were selected and CBCT was taken. The CBCT data were reconstructed to evaluate the visibility, shape, diameter, length of the MIC and its relationship with mandible. MIC could be identified in 100% (100/100) of CBCT with good clarity in 71% (71/100). The diameters (horizontal diameter versus vertical diameter) of MIC became smaller from origin to end (left origin of MIC was 2.17 mm×2.22 mm, left end was 0.82 mm×0.92 mm; right origin of MIC was 2.14 mm×2.08 mm, right end was 0.87 mm×0.86 mm). The left and right mean length of MIC was 17.84 mm and 17.73 mm respectively. In bucca-lingual direction, MIC was close to buccal cortical border, and in vertical direction, MIC was close to lower margin of mandible. The distance from MIC to apex of root was shortest in canine. CBCT can identify MIC with high visibility and prominent clarity. In the interforaminal region of mandible, MIC was close to buccal and lower margin of mandible.