Incisive canal: Variations on cone beam computed tomography and its impact on dental implant planning

Abstract

To assess the morphologic patterns of Incisive canal (IC), distance between the IC and buccal cortical plate in partially edentulous patients, distance between the maxillary central incisor (MCI) and IC in dentulous patients and measure length and width of IC on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan for implant placement. A total of 104 CBCT scans consisting of 52 dentulous and 52 edentulous patients aged between 20 and 60 years were retrospectively reviewed from the archives’ of oral radiology unit. Kodak 9000C 3D unit was used for obtaining these scans. The morphology, location and dimensions of IC was analysed by two observers. The correlation of age and gender with all the variables was evaluated. The most common pattern found in this study was slanted straight SS (36.5%). A single canal was reported in 95.19% scans. The mean distance from buccal cortical plate to IC was 5.09 while that from MCI to IC was 2.33. The mean canal width of IC in partially edentulous scans was 2.96 while that in dentulous scans was 3.11. The mean canal length of IC was 10.1 in partially edentulous group while it was 10.68, in dentulous group. The study population is safe for implant placement in regards to the pattern and number of canals of IC and compromised with respect to the bone available anterior to the IC. The implantologists’ needs to be aware of these shortcomings while planning implant in the upper anterior region.