Morphological assessment of the mandibular canal inferior to the mandibular second molar in an Arab Iraqi population using cone beam computed tomography

Background: The mandibular canal (MC) serves as the pathway for the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundles, which terminate at the mental foramen. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the shape, size, and location of the MC inferior to the mandibular second molar of an Arab Iraqi population according to gender. Materials and Methods: The study involved 200 CBCT images (100 males and 100 females) of the Arab population in Iraq, which were examined for the morphology of MC inferior to the mandibular second molar The measurements were shape and size. The location of MC includes distance from the MC to the buccal and lingual alveolar ridges, distance from the MC to the root, distance from the MC to buccolingual borders, and distance from the MC to the inferior border of the mandible. Results: Mandibular second molars present in 71 males and 60 females on the right side and 55 males and 64 females on the left side. The shape of MC was oval and irregular, with a significant difference between the genders on the right side but no significant difference on the left side. The size and location measurements were larger in males than in females, except for the distance from the MC to the lingual border, which was significantly higher in females. The distance from the MC to the root was zero in one case. Conclusion: Before performing endodontic or surgical procedures involving the mandibular second molar, it is crucial to accurately identify the MC morphology particularly its location to avoid MC injury. This precise anatomical knowledge is not only essential for successful dental procedures but also plays a vital role in forensic investigations. Dentists, with their knowledge in craniofacial anatomy, are increasingly sought as experts in forensic and legal cases.