July 2016 Vol. 4 No.7

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Original Research Article

Efficiency of cone-beam computed tomography images for evaluation of the position and dimensions of nasopalatine canal

Farzad Esmaeili¹, Ehsan Hashemi² and Ali Zarandi^3*

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
²Doctor of dentist, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
³Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

*Corresponding Author’s Email: dr.alizarandi@gmail.com
Tel.: 00984133355965

Accepted July 04, 2016

Abstract

Due to the importance of determination of nasopalatine canal region and its characteristics in the implant surgeries, this study was designed to analyze the position and dimensions of nasopalatine canal in the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. CBCT images of 76 patients were evaluated. The diameter of canal in 3 points (incisive foramen, nasal foramen, and middle of canal) and length of canal were measured and distance of canal from maxillary central incisor root in 3 points (incisive foramen, root apex, and mid root of central incisors) was recorded by two expert radiologists. The nasopalatine canal showed a large variability in position and dimensions. Mean length of the canal in males was greater than that in females and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Gender of the included patients had a statistically significant influence on the canal diameter in the middle of the incisive canal and the mean values were higher in male subjects (P < 0.05).The mean canal diameter in the nasal and incisive foramens and the mean distance from the maxillary central incisor root showed no significant difference between males and females (P > 0.05). The age of the patients had no significant influence on the evaluated parameters (P > 0.05). According to the results, gender is an important factor that can affect incisive canal dimensions. Hence, clinicians should do a careful analysis using the CBCT images before performing dental implant surgeries in the premaxillary region. Advantage of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in determination of nasopalatine canal region and its characteristics in the implant surgeries

Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography, Dental implant, Nasopalatine canal