Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to investigate vascular and neurosensory complications in edentulous patients following the installation of mandibular midline single implants in relation to lingual canals.Materials and methodsAfter performing a cone beam computed tomography scan for the 50 recruited patients, the relationship between the potential implant site and the lingual canals was assessed, and all vascular and neurosensory complications were recorded.ResultsSix patients (12%) reported profuse bleeding during implant placement, and 13 (26%) reported transient neurosensory changes, which were resolved after 3 months. According to the virtual implant planning, 44 patients (88%) would have their implants touching the lingual canals, six of them reported vascular changes (14%), and 12 out of 44 patients reported neurosensory changes (27%). For the six patients who would have their implants not touching the lingual canals, one patient reported transient neurosensory changes.ConclusionsThe mandibular lingual canals are constant anatomic landmarks. Injury to the supra-spinosum lingual canals may occur during midline implant placement, depending on the implant length and the bone height.Clinical relevanceDespite that injury to the supra-spinosum lingual canals during implant insertion does not result in permanent vascular or neurosensory complications, caution is required to avoid the perforation of the lingual cortices.
Highlights
Two dental implants in the edentulous mandible have become a standard treatment option for retaining mandibular complete dentures [1]
The terminology for lingual canals (LCs) has included median lingual canal, lingual vascular canal, and mandibular genial spinal canal [11]. They have been classified by their location in the mandible into the median lingual foramen (MLF), which is located in the midline and the lateral lingual foramen (LLF), which is laterally positioned
Regarding a possible nerve injury, the two radiologists discussed whether the planned implant would touch or would not touch the canal to reach a consensus
Summary
Two dental implants in the edentulous mandible have become a standard treatment option for retaining mandibular complete dentures [1]. The interforaminal region has been the most commonly used area for implant installation. This region contains important anatomic structures, as well as important arterial anastomoses, including multiple accessories of the lingual canals (LCs) [7, 8]. The terminology for LCs has included median lingual canal, lingual vascular canal, and mandibular genial spinal canal [11]. They have been classified by their location in the mandible into the median lingual foramen (MLF), which is located in the midline and the lateral lingual foramen (LLF), which is laterally positioned.
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