Search

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the course of the mandibular canal and the thickness of the vestibular cortical plate in the posterior region of the mandible in relation to autologous bone harvest procedures. The study was performed on a cohort of 30 cone-beam computed tomography hemimandible images. For each hemimandible, the course of the mandibular canal and the thickness of the vestibular cortical plate have been evaluated in 4 regions: the retromolar region, the second molar region, the first molar region, and the second premolar region. The analyzed variables show a characteristic trend: the thickness of the cortical vestibular plate and the horizontal distance of the canal from the cortical vestibular plate are higher in the second molar region specifically in the area bordering on the retromolar region. In fact, the maximum thickness reaches the average value of 3.46 mm on 30 hemimandibles for slice (SD, 0.56 mm; range, 2.36-4.83 mm), and the horizontal distance reaches the average value of 6.06 mm on 30 hemimandibles for slice (SD, 1.34 mm; range, 3.65-9.27 mm); both variables decrease in more distal slices of the retromolar region. The vertical distance of the canal from the cortical crest shows the average value of 14.25 mm on 22 slices of the second molar and retromolar regions (SD of average values, 1.03 mm; range of average values, 12.92-16.25 mm; range of absolute values, 7.11-22.92 mm) exactly in regions potentially suitable for procedures of bone harvest (second molar and retromolar regions).

The anterior mandible was initially considered a safe zone from a surgical point of view. Over time, serious complications resulting from dental implantology procedures have been reported. This has led to a greater focus on vascularization of the interforaminal region. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the anterior mandibular region in relation to the presence of canals perforating the buccal and lingual cortical plates. DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files of 100 cone beam computed tomography scans were analyzed by imaging software. All radiographic cross-sections between the mental foramina were examined to detect the presence and location of perforating buccal or lingual canals. Lingual perforating canals are present in 98% of the cohort. The most common site is the symphysis region. The presence of 2 lingual canals cranially and caudally to the genial apophysis has been found in 39%. Vestibular perforating canals are absent in 61%. The anterior mandible has several lingual perforating canals, which are variable in number and location. Imaging software is a valuable aid in presurgical planning. Because of the higher prevalence of perforating canals in the symphysis region, this site should be preserved.