Incidence and characteristics of mandibular accessory canals: A radiographic investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to explore, through tridimensional reconstructions of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, the presence and the characteristics of mandibular accessory canals.


METHODS
For each included participant, the presence of accessory canals was recorded. The diameter of the canal, as well as the distance between the canal walls and the walls of the mandibular bone (lingual, buccal, cranial and caudal), were measured and recorded.


RESULTS
Mandibular accessory canals could be found in 8.8% of participants. Retromolar canals were the most frequently found accessory mandibular canals.


CONCLUSIONS
Accessory mandibular canals were found in a relatively high number of participants through the examination of CBCT scans and tridimensional reconstruction. The presence of such structures should be considered cautiously when planning and performing surgical interventions in mandibular area.
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Andrea Enrico
AE
Borgonovo
Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.|IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
Silvio
S
Taschieri
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Virna
V
Vavassori
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Dino
D
Re
Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.|IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
Luca
L
Francetti
Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.|IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
Stefano
S
Corbella
D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
accessory nerve; cone-beam computed tomography; inferior alveolar nerve; mandible; mandibular nerve