IDENTIFICATION, MORPHOMETRY AND VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE GENIAL TUBERCLES IN RADIOGRAPHIC AND TOMOGRAPHIC EXAMINATIONS

The aim of this study was to determine the identification, morphometry, and volumetric analysis of the genial tubercles in radiographic and tomographic examinations. To do so, 15 dried human mandibles were exposed to four stages. In the initial stage, the samples were exposed to the carrying out of bidimensional radiographic examinations, digital periapical radiography in the area of the lower incisors and digital totally occlusal radiography and tridimensional image examination, cone beam computed tomography. In the second stage of the research, the same image examinations were carried out in the mandibles with the genial tubercles accentuated with barium sulphate. In stage 3, a gingival needle was inserted in the lingual foramina into the lingual canal to perform the image examinations of each one of the mandibles. In stage number 4, the genial tubercles were removed to perform the image examinations in the mandibles. The radiographies were assessed by two radiologist dental surgeons dully trained for morphological analysis. For the morphometric assessment (linear and volumetric dimensions), the ITK-snap® Version 3.6.0 software was used. As a result of the periapical radiographies, no change was observed in the initial or final images of all mandibles, showing that the radiopaque projected image does not refer to the genial tubercles but to the cortical bone of the mandible (highlighted by the needle). Besides, with the highlighting of the barium sulphate, it could be noticed that the genial tubercles increase the radiopacity of the symphysis region. In the occlusal radiographic images, changes were observed in each one of the stages, once the position of the mandible during the examination make the projections of the genial tubercles quite evident, being the bidimensional examination indicated for the assessment of these anatomical structures. The cone beam computed tomography presents, distinctively, the property of providing tridimensional images rich in details, without overlapping images, enabling the assessment of area, volume and shape of the genial tubercles and also differ these structures from the lingual canal and mental protuberances. Thus, it could be concluded that the periapical radiography of the lower incisors highlights the lingual canal, the occlusal radiography highlights the genial tubercles and the tomography is the examination that presents the conditions to differ these structures.