Variations in the Anatomy of the Mandibular Canal and Their Implications in Oral Surgery: A CBCT Study With a Proposed Anatomic-Clinical Classification

A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of anatomic variations of the mandibular canal (MC) and the presence of accessory neurovascular canals of extra-mandibular origin, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study included 200 patients who had CBCT scans, and these scans were examined by one radiologist and an oral surgeon. The study found that MC variations were found in 62 cases (31%) out of the 200 patients with 72 variations detected (18%) on the 400 hemimandibles examined. The study presented a new anatomic-clinical classification for these variations. The findings of the study highlight the importance of carrying out a careful preoperative radiologic examination using CBCT analysis before any surgical procedure on the mandible.