title: Distribution of endosseous bony canals in the mandibular symphysis as detected with cone beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article was to investigate the distribution of endosseous bony canals in the anterior mandible using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred ninety-nine images based on CBCT of the anterior mandible were analyzed for the presence of endosseous canals. The bony canals were observed in relationship to the adjacent anatomical structures, and relationships between their topographic variability and patient age and gender were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bony canals were found in the anterior mandible in almost 86% of the examined patients, independent of age and gender. The highest regional frequency was seen in the midline area, followed by the lateral incisor and canine regions. The length of the canals ranged from 5 to 15 mm (mean, 10.55 mm). Multiple (two or three) canals were also observed in approximately 9% of the scans. Varying appearances of these bony canals in the symphysis region were also demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endosseous canals in the mandibular symphysis were found using CBCT scans. CBCT seems to be an important diagnostic technique for evaluation of the exact distribution of bony canals in the symphysis region that may help reduce the risk of surgical complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Periodontology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA. Georgios_Romanos@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Georgios E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Romanos
authors.forename: Bhumija
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davids
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damouras
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crespi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult