title: Evaluation of morphology of the nasopalatine canal using cone-beam computed tomography in a subgroup of Turkish adult population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine variations of the NPC in relation to age, gender, and status of edentulism of anterior maxilla.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients scheduled for CBCT imaging for further radiographic evaluation of the maxilla with various reasons were consecutively enrolled in this study. Reformatted sagittal and coronal slices were analyzed with regard to dimensions and anatomic characteristics of the NPC. The correlation of age, gender, and status of edentulism of anterior maxilla with all the variables were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study comprised 157 subjects with a mean age of 49.64 years. The analysis of the diameter of the incisive foramen revealed a mean of 4.48 mm whereas the diameter of the palatine foramen revealed a mean of 2.88 mm. The mean length of NPC was 10.87 mm and found significantly longer in males and patients with anterior teeth. In terms of incisive foramen and palatine foramen diameter, there was not any significant difference between males and females and between patients with and without anterior teeth (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was relationship between the gender of the patients and the length of the NPC, with significantly lower mean values in females. This result suggests that careful analysis of anatomical structures by taking into consideration some variables would aid the clinician in performing a safer surgical intervention and prevent possible complications. CNCT scanning prior to implant surgery specifically in edentulous patients with severely atrophic maxillae might be a good diagnostic tool to guide the clinician for a safer and predictable procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey. ceydaozcakir@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ceyda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Özçakır-Tomruk
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Semanur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dölekoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Özkurt-Kayahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dilhan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: İlgüy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anatomical variations; Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT); Nasopalatine canal dental implant