Mandibular Canal Morphometry and Anatomical Variations Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in a North Indian Population: A Retrospective Study
- 1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College, Panchkula, IND
- 2Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, IND
Abstract
Introduction
The present study aimed to evaluate the morphology, dimensions, anatomical variations, and spatial characteristics of the mandibular canal (MC) in a North Indian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The associations between MC characteristics and sex, age, and laterality were also assessed to identify clinically relevant patterns of anatomical variation.
Materials and methods
This retrospective database observational study was conducted using 400 CBCT scans of adults aged ≥18 years between June 2024 and May 2025. The scans were evaluated using multiplanar and curved planar reconstructions. MC course, length, vertical and horizontal diameters, buccolingual position, anterior loop, bifid and trifid canals, and accessory mental foramina were assessed. Two calibrated observers independently evaluated the scans, with repeated assessments performed to establish measurement reliability. Differences according to sex and side, as well as associations with age, were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for bilateral observations. Multinomial logistic GEE were used for categorical canal patterns. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
Among the 400 participants, 220 were males and 180 were females, with a mean age of 42.6 ± 12.1 years. Males demonstrated significantly greater canal length, vertical diameter, horizontal diameter, and anterior loop length than females. Bifid canals were significantly more common in males than in females. The ascending canal morphology was the most common pattern, followed by catenary and straight configurations, with no significant sex differences. No significant right-left differences were observed in canal dimensions or anatomical variants. The canal was predominantly centrally positioned buccolingually across all tooth regions, ranging from 67.5% in the second premolar region to 76.0% in the third molar region. Increasing age was significantly associated with reduced canal length, whereas other measured characteristics showed no significant age-related associations.
Conclusion
MC anatomy demonstrates substantial morphological variability, with significant differences related to sex and age but limited bilateral asymmetry. CBCT assessment provides a detailed characterization of canal dimensions, course, and anatomical variants. Recognition of these variations is important for individualized preoperative evaluation and for minimizing neurovascular complications during mandibular surgical procedures.
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BibTeX
@article{dua2026mandibular,
title = {{Mandibular Canal Morphometry and Anatomical Variations Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in a North Indian Population: A Retrospective Study}},
author = {Nisha Dua and Rajesh Kumar Gupta and Swarnika Jain and Mamta Singh and Nisha Singh and Nishtha Bhutani},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117407},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727993},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mandibular Canal Morphometry and Anatomical Variations Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in a North Indian Population: A Retrospective Study
AU - Nisha Dua
AU - Rajesh Kumar Gupta
AU - Swarnika Jain
AU - Mamta Singh
AU - Nisha Singh
AU - Nishtha Bhutani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/03
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117407
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727993
AB - Introduction The present study aimed to evaluate the morphology, dimensions, anatomical variations, and spatial characteristics of the mandibular canal (MC) in a North Indian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The associations between MC characteristics and sex, age, and laterality were also assessed to identify clinically relevant patterns of anatomical variation. Materials and methods This retrospective database observational study was conducted using 400 CBCT scans of adults aged ≥18 years between June 2024 and May 2025. The scans were evaluated using multiplanar and curved planar reconstructions. MC course, length, vertical and horizontal diameters, buccolingual position, anterior loop, bifid and trifid canals, and accessory mental foramina were assessed. Two calibrated observers independently evaluated the scans, with repeated assessments performed to establish measurement reliability. Differences according to sex and side, as well as associations with age, were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for bilateral observations. Multinomial logistic GEE were used for categorical canal patterns. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Among the 400 participants, 220 were males and 180 were females, with a mean age of 42.6 ± 12.1 years. Males demonstrated significantly greater canal length, vertical diameter, horizontal diameter, and anterior loop length than females. Bifid canals were significantly more common in males than in females. The ascending canal morphology was the most common pattern, followed by catenary and straight configurations, with no significant sex differences. No significant right-left differences were observed in canal dimensions or anatomical variants. The canal was predominantly centrally positioned buccolingually across all tooth regions, ranging from 67.5% in the second premolar region to 76.0% in the third molar region. Increasing age was significantly associated with reduced canal length, whereas other measured characteristics showed no significant age-related associations. Conclusion MC anatomy demonstrates substantial morphological variability, with significant differences related to sex and age but limited bilateral asymmetry. CBCT assessment provides a detailed characterization of canal dimensions, course, and anatomical variants. Recognition of these variations is important for individualized preoperative evaluation and for minimizing neurovascular complications during mandibular surgical procedures.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -