title: Panoramic radiographic patterns of the infraorbital canal and anterior superior dental plexus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and classify the presentations of the infra-orbital canal/groove (IOC/G) complex and anterior superior dental plexus (ASDP) on panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The frequency of occurrence and variations in appearance of the IOC/G were determined on 246 random panoramic radiographs. A classification system consisting of Types I, II and III was developed to describe the radiographic patterns of the IOC/G.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred radiographs (81.3%) demonstrated evidence of the IOG/C. The most frequent appearance of the IOC was Type III (44.75%) closely followed by Type I (42%) and Type II (13.25%), with only minor differences in prevalence between right and left sides. Sixty one percent were bilateral. Radiologic evidence of the ASDP was noted in 29% of radiographs demonstrating an IOG/C with 12% of cases being bilateral. Three distinct radiographic patterns of the anterior superior dental plexus (ASDP) were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A classification of the appearance of the IOC/G and ASDP on panoramic radiographs has been presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnosis and General Dentistry, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Scarfe
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Langlais
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohba
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawamata
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maselle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation; D008442:Maxillary Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012189:Retrospective Studies