Evaluation of the nasopalatine canal morphology and morphometry using cone beam computed tomography

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the morphology and dimensions of the nasopalatine canal (NPC), incisive foramen (IF), and nasopalatine foramen (NPF) in a Turkish population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), according to individuals’ dental status and sex.Materials and Methods: The CBCT images of 57 individuals aged 18–64 years who met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria (28 females, 29 males) were retrospectively evaluated at a single centre. The morphology of the NPC was classified in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes; parameters such as canal shape, diameter, length, and angle were measuredResults: The shape and morphometry of the NPC, incisive foramen, and nasopalatine foramen were assessed according to sex and dental status, and no significant differences were found. However, some parameters such as NPF diameter in coronal (3.80 mm in males; 4.15 mm in females) and sagittal (2.80 mm in males; 2.98mm in females) sections, NPC angle in sagittal section (106.23° and 107.42° in males and females), and buccal bone plate thickness anterior to the canal (BBP) in middle (6.19 mm and 6.56 mm in males and females) /upper (9.26 mm and 10.84 mm in males and females) one third in sagittal plane were higher in females than males even if the findings were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The findings of this study, which examined the nasopalatine canal, nasopalatine foramen, and incisive foramen in relation to gender and dental status, indicate that certain anatomical variations and differences may exist in these structures.