The incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in Koreans by using cone-beam computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to investigate the incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in a Korean population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.


METHODS
CBCT images of 1933 patients (884 male and 1049 female) were evaluated using PSR-9000N and Alphard-Vega 3030 Dental CT units (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Image analysis was performed by using OnDemand3D software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The bifid mandibular canal was identified and classified into four types, namely, the forward canal, buccolingual canal, dental canal, and retromolar canal. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).


RESULTS
Bifid mandibular canals were observed in 198 (10.2%) of 1933 patients. The most frequently observed type of bifid mandibular canal was the retromolar canal (n=104, rate: 52.5%) without any significant difference among the incidence of each age and gender. The mean diameter of the accessory canal was 1.27 mm (range: 0.27-3.29 mm) without any significant difference among the mean diameter of each type of the bifid mandibular canal. The mean length of the bifid mandibular canals was 14.97mm(range: 2.17-38.8 mm) with only a significant difference between the dental canal and the other types.


CONCLUSIONS
The bifid mandibular canal is not uncommon in Koreans and has a prevalence of 10.2% as indicated in the present study. It is suggested that a CBCT examination be recommended for detecting a bifid canal.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Ju-Han
JH
Kang
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Kook-Sun
KS
Lee
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Min-Gyu
MG
Oh
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Hwa-Young
HY
Choi
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Sae-Rom
SR
Lee
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Song-Hee
SH
Oh
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Yoon-Joo
YJ
Choi
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Gyu-Tae
GT
Kim
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Yong-Suk
YS
Choi
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Eui-Hwan
EH
Hwang
Abnormalities; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Mandibular Nerve; Radiography