Morphometrical analysis of the human mandibular canal: a CT investigation.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the correct localization of the mandibular canal (MC) that is essential in order to avoid injuries to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle during oral surgical procedures.

Methods: We have analyzed the position of the MC using computed tomography data bank examinations of the oral region from 50 partially dentulous Brazilian patients aging from 25 to 75 years old (mean ± SD values = 51.70 ± 4.50; females = 27; males = 23) that were obtained with the purpose of dental restoration and without any gross pathology of the mandible. Axial images were 1-mm-thick slices using bone regular algorithm, without intravenous contrast.

Results: We have measured (mean ± SD) the orthogonal distances between the MC and the following selected regions of the mandible: (a) the buccal cortical plate (6.10 ± 1.52 mm); (b) the inferior border of the mandible (10.55 ± 2.28 mm); (c) the lingual cortical plate (3.98 ± 1.14 mm); and (d) the superior border of the alveolar process (16.98 ± 2.85 mm).

Conclusions: Our morphometric findings may help clarifying the detailed anatomy of the MC and its topographical relations for the planning of dental implantation.