Topographic anatomy of mandibular canal in Korean

Abstract

For certain placement of dental implant in the mandible, a proficient knowledge of anatomy and an accurate localization of the mandibular canal are extremely important to avoid interference with the neurovascular bundle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimension, the horizontal and vertical location of the mandibular canal in Korean. Eighteen dentulous hemimandibles were selected for this study. Distal surfaces of the second molar (group 1), fist molar (group 2), second premolar (group 3) and first premolar (group 4) were sectioned and then imaged with a scanner, perpendicular to the lower border of the mandible, and then each mandibular canal was drawn as rotundity. For each section, after setting the vertical axis of teeth, measurements were carried out as follows; mandibular canal diameter; distance from the buccal external border to the buccal side of the mandibular canal; distance from the lingual external border to the lingual side of the mandibular canal; distance from the upper border of the alveolar crest to the upper border of the mandibular canal; distance from the lower border of the mandibular canal to the mandibular inferior border. The results are as follows; 1. The average diameter of the mandibular canal was the greatest with a mean of 2.31 mm in group 1 and then slightly decreased, in group 4, the canal diameter was 1.87 mm. 2. The distance from the buccal border to the buccal side of the mandibular canal gradually decreased from group 1 to group 4. Conversely, the distance from the lingual side of the mandibular canal to the lingual border gently increased from group 1 to group 4. 3. The distance from the upper border of the alveolar crest to the upper border of the canal increased from group 1 to group 4. The distance from the lower border of the mandibular canal to the mandibular inferior border showed similar pattern in each group with a mean of 10 mm.

To avoid complication of sensory paralyses during implant surgery in the mandibular canal region, a thorough understanding of anatomy and a careful planning are demanded. These results could be able to provide anatomic information for clinical applications.