OBJECTIVE: The study aims at assessing the incidence, course, and characteristics of retromolar canals. STUDY DESIGN: The cone-beam computed tomography images of 171 subjects were evaluated for the presence, course, and pattern of occurrence of retromolar canals. RESULTS: Three types of retromolar canals namely A, B, & C were detected in 129 subjects. Type A branched off the mandibular canal distal to third molar to open into retomolar fossa, type B coursed between retromolar fossa and radicular portion of third molar, type C coursed from mandibular foramen anteroinferiorly to exit into retromolar fossa. The type B retromolar canal presented features distinguishing it from other types. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable number of individuals presented with retromolar canals emphasizing their significance in surgeries involving the retromolar area. The type B pattern, to the best of our knowledge, hasn't been reported by most researchers and hence, could be considered as an additional type of retromolar canal.
OBJECTIVE: The study aims at assessing the incidence, course, and characteristics of retromolar canals. STUDY DESIGN: The cone-beam computed tomography images of 171 subjects were evaluated for the presence, course, and pattern of occurrence of retromolar canals. RESULTS: Three types of retromolar canals namely A, B, & C were detected in 129 subjects. Type A branched off the mandibular canal distal to third molar to open into retomolar fossa, type B coursed between retromolar fossa and radicular portion of third molar, type C coursed from mandibular foramen anteroinferiorly to exit into retromolar fossa. The type B retromolar canal presented features distinguishing it from other types. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable number of individuals presented with retromolar canals emphasizing their significance in surgeries involving the retromolar area. The type B pattern, to the best of our knowledge, hasn't been reported by most researchers and hence, could be considered as an additional type of retromolar canal.
Authors: Letícia F Haas; Kamile Dutra; André Luís Porporatti; Luis A Mezzomo; Graziela De Luca Canto; Carlos Flores-Mir; Márcio Corrêa Journal: Dentomaxillofac Radiol Date: 2015-11-18 Impact factor: 2.419
Authors: J Muinelo-Lorenzo; J A Suárez-Quintanilla; A Fernández-Alonso; S Marsillas-Rascado; M M Suárez-Cunqueiro Journal: Dentomaxillofac Radiol Date: 2014-04-30 Impact factor: 2.419