PREVALENCE, DIAMETER AND FURRING OF MANDIBULAR INCISIVE CANAL IN NORTH INDIAN SUBPOPULATION: A CBCT STUDY

Objective: The Mandibular Incisive Canal (MIC) carries mandibular neurovascular bundle and it is necessary to determine the presence of MIC & its relation to adjacent anatomical landmarks to avoid any potential damage to neurovascular bundle during various surgical procedures. So, this study was planned to determine the prevalence, canal diameter and its relation with adjacent anatomic structures using CBCT and to find their associations with age, gender and laterality. Methods: CBCT scans of 61 patients (33 M, 28 F) were evaluated in sagittal sections. Results: The overall prevalence of MIC on the right side was found to be 65.6% while it was 73.8% on the left side. The MIC was more prevalent in females as compared to males between the 30-50 years of age. The mean diameter on the right and left side was found to be 0.85 ± 0.25 mm & 0.93 ± 0.27 mm respectively. The mean distance of MIC from buccal cortex was (3.5 ± 1.3 & 3.6 ± 1.8 mm), lingual cortex (4.8 ± 1.6 & 4.8± 2.0 mm) & inferior border of the mandible (10.1 ± 3.7 &10.4 ± 3.3 mm) on right and left side respectively. Conclusions: The preoperative assessment of CBCT is advocated especially in middle age, females and left side for MIC evaluation &the findings of this study will help in identifying safe area during surgical procedures in inter-foraminal region. Periapical surgery, implants, genioplasty etc. can be planned in a better manner by avoiding potential danger areas.