title: The mandibular incisive canal and its anatomical relationships: A cone beam computed tomography study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To avoid postoperative injuries in the interforaminal region, presence of the Mandibular Incisive Canal (MIC), its extension and canal positioning in relation to the cortical bone and alveolar process were investigated by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred CBCT examinations obtained by means of the i-CAT CBCT imaging system were analyzed in multiple-plane views (axial, panoramic and cross-sectional) and three-dimensional representations were performed using iCAT CBCT software. The MIC was evaluated for its presence, measurement and proximity to the buccal and lingual plates, alveolar process and inferior border of the mandible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MIC was visible in all (100%) CBCT images. The mean length of MIC was 9.8 ± 3.8 mm. The distances between the canal and buccal plate, as well as between the canal and lingual plate of the alveolar bone were 4.62 ± 1.41 mm and 6.25 ± 2.03 mm, respectively. The distances from the canal to the alveolar process, and to the inferior border of the mandible were 10.25 ± 2.27 mm and 7.06 ± 2.95 mm, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the high prevalence of MIC, its variation in length and distance up to the cortical bone, suggested that preoperative radiographic evaluation of the MIC must be carried out case-by-case using CBCT, which could clearly show the three-dimensional structure and adjacent structure of the MIC.
authors.affiliation: Des Aurélio M de Albuquerque Street, 230, BL C, Apart 201, Jardim Cidade Universitária, 5, 8052-160. João Pessoa/PB/Brazil, etsemerson@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pereira-Maciel
authors.forename: Emerson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tavares-de-Sousa
authors.forename: Marcelo-Augusto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Sales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult