Presence and course of the mandibular incisive canal and presence of the anterior loop in cone beam computed tomography images of an Iranian population

Abstract

To assess the presence, location, and course of the incisive canal and the presence of the anterior loop using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a selected Iranian population. Mandibular CBCT scans of 84 patients were examined for preoperative planning of implant placement. The scans were taken using a NewTom VG CBCT unit. After reconstruction of panoramic and buccolingual cross-sectional images with 1-mm thickness, the presence of the incisive canal and the anterior loop was determined. The canal was colorized and the distances (d) from the incisive canal to the tooth apex (d1), buccal plate (d2), lingual plate (d3), and inferior border of the mandible (d4) were measured in regions containing the first premolar, canine, lateral, and central teeth. The incisive canal and the anterior loop were visible in 92.3 and 36.9% of the scans, respectively. No significant differences between the presence of the incisive canal and the anterior loop were detected on the basis of patient sex or side of the mandible. A significant difference between the visibility of the anterior loop and age groups (≤40 and >40 years) was detected. However, no significant differences existed between the measurements in the tooth regions examined in the two age groups. The most common location of the canal in the first premolar–canine regions was a buccal location. CBCT is effective for identifying the incisive canal and the anterior loop. In most cases, no significant differences exist between the distance measurements on the right and left sides.