Bifid mandibular canal.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and characteristics of bifid mandibular canals.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed using panoramic radiographs of 2012 patients subjected to dental treatment in the Dental Clinic of the Valencia University Dental School (Valencia, Spain) between 1996 and 1999. The goal was to investigate the presence of double mandibular canals.


RESULTS
The extraoral panoramic radiographs revealed a total of 7 images suggestive of bifid canals. Mandibular computed tomography revealed the existence of this anatomic variant in 2 of 3 patients. An analysis was performed on the incidence of this type of image in extraoral panoramic radiography, its possible interpretations, and the clinical implications of bifid mandibular canals.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, 0.35% of canals were bifid. All cases were in women.
Sanchis
J M
JM
Department of Oral Medicine and Department of Oral Surgery, University of Valencia Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
Peñarrocha
Miguel
M
Soler
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed