• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.209-212
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• 2009

Bifid mandibular canal can be an anatomic variation. This condition can lead to complication when performing mandibular anesthesia or during extraction of lower third molar, placement of implants and surgery in the mandible. Four patients underwent preoperative imaging for extraction of third molars using CBCT (CB Mercuray, Hitachi, Japan). The axial images were processed with CBworks program 2.1 (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The branches for supplying the lower third molar were identified mainly on cross-sectional and panoramic images of CBCT. Since the location and configuration of mandibular canal variations are important in any mandibular surgical procedures, we report 4 cases of bifid mandibular canal with panoramic and the CBCT images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate mandibular canal displacement in patients with ameloblastoma using a 3-dimensional mirrored-model analysis. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of computed tomographic scans of patients with ameloblastoma (n=10) and healthy controls (n=20). The amount of mandibular canal asymmetry was recorded as a continuous variable, while the buccolingual (yaw) and supero-inferior (pitch) directions of displacement were classified as categorical variables. The t-test for independent samples and the Fisher exact test were used to compare groups in terms of differences between sides and the presence of asymmetric inclinations, respectively (P<0.05). Results: The length of the mandibular canal was similar on both sides in both groups. The ameloblastoma group presented more lateral (2.40±4.16 mm) and inferior (-1.97±1.92 mm) positions of the mental foramen, and a more buccal (1.09±2.75 mm) position of the middle canal point on the lesion side. Displacement of the mandibular canal tended to be found in the anterior region in patients with ameloblastoma, occurring toward the buccal and inferior directions in 60% and 70% of ameloblastoma patients, respectively. Conclusion: Mandibular canal displacement due to ameloblastoma could be detected by this superimposed mirrored method, and displacement was more prevalent toward the inferior and buccal directions. This displacement affected the mental foramen position, but did not lead to a change in the length of the mandibular canal. The control group presented no mandibular canal displacement.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.221-226
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• 2015

Purpose: This study evaluated the prevalence of distolingual roots in mandibular molars among Koreans, the root canal system associated with distolingual roots, and the concurrent appearance of a distolingual root in the mandibular first molar and a C-shaped canal in the mandibular second molar. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomographic images of 264 patients were screened and examined. Axial sections of 1056 mandibular molars were evaluated to determine the number of roots. The interorifice distances from the distolingual canal to the distobuccal canal were also estimated. Using an image analysis program, the root canal curvature was calculated. Pearson's chi-square test, the paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and post-hoc analysis were performed. Results: Distolingual roots were observed in 26.1% of the subjects. In cases where a distolingual root was observed in the mandibular molar, a significant difference was observed in the root canal curvature between the buccolingual and mesiodistal orientations. The maximum root canal curvature was most commonly observed in the mesiodistal orientation in the coronal portion, but in the apical portion, maximum root canal curvature was most often observed in the buccolingual orientation. Conclusion: The canal curvature of distolingual roots was found to be very complex, with a different direction in each portion. No correlation was found between the presence of a distolingual root in the mandibular first molar and the presence of a C-shaped canal in the mandibular second molar.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.229-236
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• 2014

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of bifid and trifid mandibular canals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, and to measure their length, diameter, and angle. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 500 patients, involving 755 hemi-mandibles, were used for this study. The presence and type of bifid mandibular canal was evaluated according to a modified classification of Naitoh et al. Prevalence rates were determined according to age group, gender, and type. Further, their diameter, length, and angles were measured using PACSPLUS Viewer and ImageJ 1.46r. Statistical analysis with chi-squared and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests was performed. Results: Bifid and trifid mandibular canals were found in 22.6% of the 500 patients and 16.2% of the 755 sides. There was no significant difference between genders and among age groups. The retromolar canal type accounted for 71.3% of the identified canals; the dental canal type, 18.8%; the forward canal type, 4.1%; and the trifid canal type, 5.8%. Interestingly, seven cases of the trifid canal type, which has been rarely reported, were observed. The mean diameter of the bifid and trifid mandibular canals was 2.2 mm and that of the main mandibular canal was 4.3 mm. Their mean length was 16.9 mm; the mean superior angle was $149.2^{\circ}$, and the mean inferior angle was $37.7^{\circ}$. Conclusion: Bifid and trifid mandibular canals in the Korean population were observed at a relatively high rate through a CBCT evaluation, and the most common type was the retromolar canal. CBCT is suggested for a detailed evaluation of bifid and trifid mandibular canals before mandibular surgery.

• 치과방사선
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.209-222
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• 1987

The author invested the gonial angle, the angle of mandibular and mental canal to the lower border of the mandible, and a relationship of the position of the mandibular canal to the root apex of the posterior teeth and the cortical plate of the lower of the mandible. The materials consisted of 458 pantomograms in male and female aged 11-40 and divided into 5 groups at 5 year intervals and subdivided into 3 groups by gonial angle. The results were as follows; 1. The gonial angle decreased with age, but slight increase occurred over 26-30 years. 2. The average angle of the mandibular canal to the lower border of the mandible was 151.6° and did not correlate with age. 3. The average angle of the mental canal to the lower border of the mandible was 36.9° and didn't correlate with age. 4. The angles of mandibular and mental canal to the lower border of the mandible correlated with gonial angle. 5. The distance from the root apex of the posterior teeth to the upper wall of the mandibular canal was most short at the region of the distal root of the mandibular second molar and increased with age at the region of the mandibular second molar. 6. The distance from the lower wall of the mandibular canal to the cortical plate of the lower border of the mandible was most short at the region of the mesial root of the mandibular first molar and didn't correlate with age.

• 치과방사선
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.43-53
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• 1999

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze radiologically the location and course of the mandibular canal and to observe the alveolar and basal bone changes during the remodeling procedures of atrophic mandible. Materials and Methods: CT scanning was performed on dry 30 edentulous or partially dentulous mandibles. In 48 edentulous lower halves, measuring areas were determined by three points in the length of the mandibular canal. The distance from the mandibular canal towards cranial and caudal edges, buccal and lingual external borders of the body of the mandible were measured. A statistical comparison between the mean values of different classes of mandibular body was carried out in the selected areas. Results: The distance between the mandibular canal and caudal borders of the body of the mandible and lingual borders dose not change in the atrophic process of mandible. The mandibular canal within the mandible courses downwards from mandibular foramen towards mesial and subsequently it gets to the mental foramen. The distance between the mandibular canal and buccal external border of basal bone changes similar to the change of cranial borders of alveolar bone in the atrophic process of mandible. Conclusion: CT scanning was very effective and practicable to analyze the location and course of the mandibular canal and to observe the alveolar and basal bone changes of atrophic mandible. Also more detailed investigation of basal bone changes observed during the remodeling procedures of atrophic mandibles seems reasonable to rely on the massive anthropologic collections of atrophic mandibles combined with CT scanning.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.12
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of 1-rooted mandibular second molar (MnSM) teeth on root canal anatomy complexities of the mandibular central incisor (MnCI), mandibular lateral incisor (MnLI), mandibular canine (MnCn), mandibular first premolar (MnFP), mandibular second premolar (MnSP), and mandibular first molar (MnFM) teeth. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 600 patients with full lower dentition were examined. Individuals with 1-rooted MnSMs were determined, and the complexity of root canal anatomy of other teeth was compared with individuals without 1-rooted MnSMs (Group-1; subjects with at least one 1-rooted MnSM, Group-2; subjects with more than a single root in both MnSMs). A second canal in MnCIs, MnLIs, MnCns, MnFPs, and MnSPs indicated a complicated root canal. The presence of a third root in MnFMs was recorded as complicated. Results: The prevalence of 1-rooted MnSMs was 12.2%, with the C-shaped root type being the most prevalent (9%). There were fewer complicated root canals in MnCIs (p = 0.02), MnLIs (p < 0.001), and MnFPs (p < 0.001) in Group 1. The other teeth showed no difference between the groups (p > 0.05). According to logistic regression analysis, 1-rooted right MnSMs had a negative effect on having complex canal systems of MnLIs and MnFPs. Left MnSMs were explanatory variables on left MnLIs and both MnFPs. Conclusions: In individuals with single-rooted MnSMs, a less complicated root canal system was observed in all teeth except the MnFMs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2019

Purpose: This study reviewed the common conditions associated with displacement of inferior alveolar nerve canal. Materials and Methods: General search engines and specialized databases including Google Scholar, Pub Med, Pub Med Central, Science Direct, and Scopus were used to find relevant studies by using keywords such as "mandibular canal", "alveolar canal", "inferior alveolar nerve canal", "inferior dental canal", "inferior mandibular canal" and "displacement". Results: About 120 articles were found, of which approximately 70 were broadly relevant to the topic. We ultimately included 37 articles that were closely related to the topic of interest. When the data were compiled, the following 8 lesions were found to have a relationship with displacement of mandibular canal: radicular/residual cysts, dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, ameloblastoma, central giant cell granuloma, fibrous dysplasis, and cementossifying fibroma. Conclusion: When clinicians encounter a lesion associated with displaced mandibular canal, they should first consider these entities in the differential diagnosis. This review would help dentists make more accurate diagnoses and develop better treatment plans according to patients' radiographs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.199-205
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• 2003

Purpose: To compare the visibility of the mandibular canal at the different radiographic methods such as conventional panoramic radiographs, Vimplant multi planar reformatting (MPR)-CT panoramic images, Vimplant MPR-CT paraxial images and film-based DentaScan MPR-CT images. Materials and Methods: Data of 11 mandibular dental implant patients, who had been planned treatment utilizing both panoramic and MPR-CT examination with DentaScan software (GE Medical systems, Milwaukee, USA), were used in this study. The archived axial CT data stored on CD-R discs were transferred to a personal computer with 17' LCD monitor. Paraxial and panoramic images were reconstructed using Vimplant software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). Conventional panoramic radiographs, monitor-based Vimplant MPR-CT panoramic images, monitor-based Vimplant MPR-CT paraxial images, and film-based DentaScan MPR-CT images were evaluated for visibility of the mandibular canal at the mental foramen, 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm posterior to mental foramen using the 4-point grading score. Results: Vimplant MPR-CT panoramic, paraxial, and DentaScan MPR-CT images revealed significantly clearer images than conventional panoramic radiographs. Particularly at the region 1 em posterior to mental foramen, conventional panoramic radiographs showed a markedly lower percentage of 'excellent' mandibular canal images than images produced by other modalites. Vimplant MPR-CT and DentaScan MPR-CT images did not show significant difference in visibility of the mandibular canal. Conclusion: The study results show that Vimplant and DentaScan MPR-CT imaging systems offer significantly better images of the mandibular canal than conventional panoramic radiograph.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.53-60
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in a Korean population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 1933 patients (884 male and 1049 female) were evaluated using PSR-9000N and Alphard-Vega 3030 Dental CT units (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Image analysis was performed by using OnDemand3D software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The bifid mandibular canal was identified and classified into four types, namely, the forward canal, buccolingual canal, dental canal, and retromolar canal. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Bifid mandibular canals were observed in 198 (10.2%) of 1933 patients. The most frequently observed type of bifid mandibular canal was the retromolar canal (n=104, rate: 52.5%) without any significant difference among the incidence of each age and gender. The mean diameter of the accessory canal was 1.27 mm (range: 0.27-3.29 mm) without any significant difference among the mean diameter of each type of the bifid mandibular canal. The mean length of the bifid mandibular canals was 14.97mm(range: 2.17-38.8 mm) with only a significant difference between the dental canal and the other types. Conclusion: The bifid mandibular canal is not uncommon in Koreans and has a prevalence of 10.2% as indicated in the present study. It is suggested that a CBCT examination be recommended for detecting a bifid canal.