title: The presence of the mandibular incisive canal:  a panoramic radiographic examination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mandibular incisive canal (MIC) is the anterior extension of the mandibular canal and its presence is of interest in surgical procedures in the chin region. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of a MIC in panoramic radiographs (OPGs).
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand forty-five OPGs were randomly chosen from patient population. The data collected included patient characteristics and MIC presence/absence according to the type of the dentition. Measurements (in mm) were performed evaluating the following: (A) minimum and (B) maximum distance from the alveolar ridge; (C) thickness and (D) length of the canal; and (E) distance (in bilateral cases) between the canals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MIC was found in 2.7% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the frequency of the MIC in OPGs and suggests that this anatomical structure should be considered to prevent injury during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Periodontology and General Dentistry, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA. georgios_romanos@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Georgios E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Romanos
authors.forename: Dimitrios E V
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stefanova-Stephens
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salwan
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malmström
authors.forename: Jack G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Caton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002680:Chin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D055815:Young Adult