SUMMARY: The objective of the study was to determine the morphology of the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) and its location using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the population of Valdivia, Chile. Descriptive cross-sectional study. MIC was identified in the canine cross image in 83 quadrants. Age, gender, quadrants, length from buccal alveolar ridge of canine to MIC, lingual and buccal cortical of canine to MIC, mandibular base of canine to MIC, and location of MIC (lingual, middle and buccal third) were recorded. Measurements were recorded in millimeters. Independent sample Student-T test was performed to determine length variables and Chi-square test was performed to determine spatial location of MIC, in relation to age group and gender. MIC was evaluated in all samples (100 %). MIC was found mainly in the mandibular third quadrant (p < 0.05). The mean from the MIC to the lingual cortex is 5.25 mm ± 1.42 mm (right) and 5.24 mm ± 1.18 mm (left). The mean from the MIC to the buccal cortex was 4.42 ± 1.29 mm (right) and 4.53 mm ± 1.24 mm (left). The mean between the center of the canal and the buccal alveolar ridge was 18.89 mm ± 2.68mm (right) and 18.20 mm ± 3.06 mm (left), the mean from the center of the MIC to the basal edge was 9.77 mm ± 1.93 (right) and 10.12 mm ± 1.92 mm (left). A greater distribution of MIC was found in the mandibular third quadrant. MIC was identified in 100 % of the samples through CBCT, therefore, its use as a complementary examination should be considered when planning surgeries in the anterior mandibular area.
KEY WORDS: Mandibular nerve; Dental implant; Cone Beam computed tomography; Anatomy; Mandibular incisive canal.
MÉNDEZ, G.; URIBE, N.; FUENTES, X. & ARAYA, G. Determination of mandibular incisor canal morphology by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a population of Valdivia, Chile. Int. J. Morphol., 39(5):1447-1452, 2021.
