3D CBCT Assessment of the Mandibular Canal in a Saudi Arabian Subpopulation

This study investigated the gender disparity, side disparity and relationship of mandible size to mandibular canal location using CBCT scans in a Saudi Arabian subpopulation. 856 CBCT scans of Saudi Arabian subpopulation were selected from the radiology archive. Linear measurements were calculated from horizontal lines drawn from the inferior border of the mandibular canal (D1), the distance from superior border of the mandibular canal to the apical root apex of the mesial root of the mandibular 2nd molar (D2), the distance from the alveolar crest in between mandibular 1st and 2nd molar to superior border of the mandibular canal (D3), the distance, from the superior border of the mandibular canal to apical root apex of the mandibular 2nd premolar (D4), height of the mandibular canal under the mandibular 1st molar (D5) and the distance from inferior border of the mandibular canal in between mandibular 1st and 2nd molar to inferior border of mandible (D6). Mandible size was calculated and grouped as Group I- Average mandible (D7 length ranging from 72.5 (±2 SD) Group II- Large mandible (D7>74.5) Group III- Small mandible (D7<70.5). The mean difference of measured variables in gender comparison and side disparity was statistically insignificant (p<0.05). No severe asymmetry was revealed. There was no statistically significant difference between the mandible size groups. The mandibular canal in Saudi Arabian subpopulation has no gender disparities, almost symmetrical position with no side disparity and location of mandibular canal is independent of mandible size.