Morphometric analysis of the inferior alveolar canal and its foramina in Egyptian children utilizing cone beam computed tomography: An observational retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed the effect of age, gender, and arch side on the location, length, and diameter of the inferior alveolar canal and its foramina in a group of Egyptian children using cone beam computed tomography. Material and Methods: Fifty scans of 10-15-year-old children of both genders were evaluated for the location, length, and diameter of the inferior alveolar canal, and the location and diameter of the mandibular and mental foramina on both sides of the jaw. Data was collected and analyzed using independent t test for comparing gender and age categories, and Paired t test for comparing arch sides. Results: Age significantly affected the position of the inferior alveolar canal to the superior, P= 0.029 and inferior, P=0.034 mandibular borders, position of the mandibular foramen to the sigmoid, P=0.008, and the size of the inferior alveolar canal, P=0.012. Gender only significantly affected the position of the mandibular foramen to the anterior, P=0.035, and posterior, P=0.013 mandibular borders. The arch side significantly affected the position of the inferior alveolar canal to the superior border, P=0.025, and position of the mandibular foramen to the gonion, P=0.006. Conclusions: Cone-beam computed tomography offers valuable insights into the dimensions and location of the inferior alveolar canal and its foramina for clinicians. Such information is crucial for procedures like mandibular block anesthesia, surgical extraction of supernumerary teeth, odontome removal, and managing severe mandibular fractures resulting from traumatic injuries.