Prevalence and Characterization of bifid mandibular Canal Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and morphological characteristics of the bifid mandibular canal in a Saudi Arabian subpopulation, to aid in preventing surgical complications near the mandibular canal.

Patients and methods: Using CBCT images obtained from the Radiology unit database in a University Hospital Clinics. A total of 488 CBCT images were investigated (244 Female - 178 Male). In the present study, the Naitoh classification was used to categorize the bifid mandibular canal into the following types: 1) Retromolar canal; 2) Dental canal; 3) Forward canal (with or without confluence); and 4) Buccolingual canal. Additional variation (Trifid canal) was included. All CBCTs were assessed in coronal, sagittal, axial, as well as panoramic views using specialized software.

Results: The prevalence of BMC was 28.7% (95% CI, 24.5 to 33.2), Gender (p = 0.404) and age (p = 0.654) had no statistical significances, laterality of BMC, patients with unilateral BMC were significantly older than those with bilateral BMC (mean ± SD ages of 40.5 ± 13.5 and 32.9 ± 13.8, respectively, p = 0.009). About two-thirds (67.5%) of the investigated BMC cases were found unilateral. The most common reported type of BMC was retromolar canal.

Conclusion: The incidence of bifid mandibular canal using CBCT is considered relatively high in Saudi Arabian subpopulation, with the most common type was the retro-molar canal.