Morphological and topographic evaluation of the mandibular canal and its relationship with the facial profile, skeletal class, and sex

Author(s)

Prado, Gustavo Moraes ; Fontenele, Rocharles Cavalcante ; Costa, Eliana Dantas ; Freitas, Deborah Queiroz ; Oliveira, Matheus L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY-HEIDELBERG; v. 27, n. 1, p. 7-pg., 2022-03-18.

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology and topography of the mandibular canal in patients with different facial profiles, skeletal classes, and sexes. Methods Cone-beam computed tomography volumes of 103 patients were classified according to facial profile and skeletal class. Two examiners classified the mandibular canal into a linear, spoon-shaped, elliptical arc, or turning curvature and measured four related linear distances. The most frequent mandibular canal curvature was identified and multi-way ANOVA with Tukey's test compared the linear measurements between facial types, skeletal class, and sexes (alpha = 0.05). Kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess the reproducibility of qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Results The examiners showed excellent reproducibility. The four curvatures of the mandibular canal were found, but the spoon-shaped and elliptical arch were the most frequent. No significant differences were observed for most of the linear measurements between the different facial profiles, skeletal classes, and sexes (p > 0.05). Conclusion Spoon-shaped and elliptical arch are the most frequent curvatures of the mandibular canal; furthermore, its morphology and topography seem to be little influenced by the facial profile, skeletal class, and sex. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/17615-4 - Topographic evaluation of the mandibular canal and the relationship with facial profile, skeletal class and sex
• Grantee: Gustavo Moraes Prado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation