[Dentascan computed tomography of the mandibular incisive canal. Its radiologic anatomy and the therapeutic implications].

PURPOSE

To stress the importance of CT depiction of the mandibular incisive canal. This anatomical structure contains a major neurovascular bundle and is thus very important in the planning of mandibular implants in the canine-incisive area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

January through December 1998, sixty patients unselected by age and gender were submitted to mandibular CT. Axial slices were acquired with 1-1.5 mm thickness and 1 mm table feed, and the images were then reformatted with a dedicated dental software. Both the conventional and the Helical techniques were used.

RESULTS

The incisive canal appears on Dentascan transverse reconstructions as a round low-density area within mandibular trabecular bone, which is surrounded by a higher-density rim representing the canal walls. This anatomical structure originates from the mental foramen and continues mesially to the mental symphysis. The mandibular canal was visualized in 95% of cases bilaterally (57/60); the incisive canal was depicted on the left side in 41.6% of cases (25/60) and on the right side in 51.6% (31/60).

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of careful assessment of the mandibular canal course before implantology is now widely recognized. The same holds true for the canine-incisive region in the jaw, to detect the incisive canal if present and prevent any complications from its accidental damage. CT with a dedicated software showed the incisive canal in a large number of patients, which calls for precise reporting of its presence, course, and relationships with teeth.