Bifid and Trifid Mandibular Canals: Are they Uncommon or Underestimated?

Anatomical variations of the mandibular canal (MC) such as bifid MC (BMC) and trifid MC (TMC) have been largely reported in the scientific literature. They are characterized by two or three accessory canals running roughly parallel to MC. BMC and TMC are incidentally detected during routine dental radiography, and their thorough understanding is necessary to the practitioner to avoid complications during dental procedures. This paper aims to review BMC and TMC and to provide basic knowledge for dental clinical procedures.