Retrospective Evaluation of Submandibular Fossa Depth in Relation to Mandibular Canal and Bone Thickness: CBCT-based Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the depth of the SF, bone thicknesses in the buccal and lingual areas of the mandibular canal (MC), vertical positions of the SF and MC relative to each other, and the tooth level at which the deepest point of the SF was observed in the cross-sectional section.

Methods: 440 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were retrospectively evaluated. The depth of the SF was determined. The buccal bone thickness (BBT) and lingual bone thickness (LBT) of the MC were measured, and the tooth alignment of the deepest point of the SF and the vertical position of the SF and MC relative to each other were determined.

Results: In both jaws, SF depth Type I ratios were lower in males than in females, and SF depth Type III ratios were higher than in females. When the relationship between the vertical position of the MC and the region where the SF was deepest was examined, it was observed that the MC was in an inferior position in most patients.

Discussion: In order to reduce the complication rate in the SF region, the relevant region should be analyzed in detail with CBCT before surgical procedures. The main limitation of our study is that the number of men and women was not equal.

Conclusion: SF depth and BBT values in the right and left jaws were higher in males than in females. LBT was higher in females in the right jaw. As the depth of the SF increased, BBT and LBT values decreased.