TITLE:
Assessment of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Canal Position and Accessory Mental Foramen Using CBCT to Overcome Surgical Complication
AUTHORS:
Sneha Meshram, Deepti Gattani, Akhilesh Shewale, Bhagyashri Gudadhe, Rajat Dhuldhwaj
KEYWORDS:
Accessory Mental Foramen, Cone Beam Computed Tomography
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.4 No.6,
June
28,
2017
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The knowledge of precise location of various mandibular anatomical landmarks is mandatory to obtain the desired surgical outcome. Damage to the nerve can be caused by perforation of the nerve canal during different surgical procedures. Accessory mental foramen (AMF) is a relevant anatomic structure with widespread importance as its presence may cause failure to achieve adequate level of anesthesia using conventional nerve block technique. Aim: To assess the inferior alveolar nerve canal position and accessory mental foramen using CBCT. Objective: 1) To assess the linear relationship of the alveolar nerve canal (ANC) to buccal and lingual cortex, bone crest to canal on both sides of mandible. 2) To identify the occurrence and location of AMF as a rare anatomical variation on both side of mandible. Materials and methods: A total 178 mandibular CBCT scans were examined for AMF and the linear relationship ANC to buccal and lingual cortex, bone crest to canal in both side of mandible was evaluated in cross-section. Result: Out of the studied population, 13 AMF were detected in 12 subjects (9 Males, 4 Females). Gender wise comparison of the linear measurement of the study population in buccal cortex, lingual cortex, cortical width, total width through centre of inferior alveolar nerve canal (IANC) and diameter of inferior alveolar nerve canal (IANC) shows no statistically significant variance (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The presence of anatomical variations is frequently neglected. To get rid of iatrogenic injuries during the surgical procedures, it is important to identify these variations by presurgical imaging examination which permits more accurate planning and contributes more successful treatment.