J J Valenzuela-Fuenzalida1,2, C Cariseo3, M Gold3, D Díaz4, M Orellana5, Joe Iwanaga6,7,8. 1. Department of Morphology and Function, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile. juan.kine.2015@gmail.com. 2. Departamento de Ciencias Química y Biológicas Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile. juan.kine.2015@gmail.com. 3. Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile. 4. Department of Morphology and Function, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile. 5. Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile. 6. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA. 7. Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. 8. Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have been described according to the number of additional branches it presents, bifid and trifid. Within the bifids we can also find subtypes of variations such as the retromolar mandibular canal. These anatomical variations can have important clinical implications for the work of dental professionals. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was carried out in different databases that met the following criteria: articles published between 2000 and 2020, and articles that established a clinical correlation with variations in the mandibular canal. RESULTS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 articles were obtained, in which the variations of the mandibular canal were identified, their prevalence and incidence, which was very varied between the different articles, it was also found that the CBCT was the main technique to identify the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal. Lastly, the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have a direct clinical correlation with pre-surgical, intra-surgical and postsurgical complications in pathologies that require surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have a high incidence, so knowing them is of vital importance both for clinicians and anatomy professors who provide morphological training. We believe that research should focus on describing and diagnosing the causes of these anatomical variations. That said, there is also a continuous challenge for all health professionals to learn about the different anatomical variations that the human body presents and how these can affect clinical practice.
INTRODUCTION: The anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have been described according to the number of additional branches it presents, bifid and trifid. Within the bifids we can also find subtypes of variations such as the retromolar mandibular canal. These anatomical variations can have important clinical implications for the work of dental professionals. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was carried out in different databases that met the following criteria: articles published between 2000 and 2020, and articles that established a clinical correlation with variations in the mandibular canal. RESULTS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 articles were obtained, in which the variations of the mandibular canal were identified, their prevalence and incidence, which was very varied between the different articles, it was also found that the CBCT was the main technique to identify the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal. Lastly, the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have a direct clinical correlation with pre-surgical, intra-surgical and postsurgical complications in pathologies that require surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical variations of the mandibular canal have a high incidence, so knowing them is of vital importance both for clinicians and anatomy professors who provide morphological training. We believe that research should focus on describing and diagnosing the causes of these anatomical variations. That said, there is also a continuous challenge for all health professionals to learn about the different anatomical variations that the human body presents and how these can affect clinical practice.