Morphometric analysis of the nasopalatine canal and inferior nasal concha using cone-beam computed tomography in individuals with impacted maxillary canines

Three-dimensional variations of anatomical structures located in the maxillary anterior region are critically important in surgical and orthodontic treatment planning. It is suggested that impacted maxillary canine teeth can affect the local bone architecture and the configuration of adjacent anatomical structures. In particular, changes in the morphological characteristics of the nasopalatine canal and inferior nasal turbinate can directly affect the risk of surgical complications. However, three-dimensional studies that examine the relationship between these structures and impacted maxillary canine teeth are limited. The aim of this study is to compare, between individuals with and without impacted maxillary canines, the morphology of the nasopalatine canal and inferior nasal concha. This retrospective observational study examined cone-beam computed tomography images of 185 individuals obtained between 2022 and 2025. The morphology, length, and angle of the nasopalatine canal were measured, and the characteristics of the inferior nasal concha and nasal septum were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric and categorical tests, with a significance level of 0.05. A total of 185 individuals were included in the study, comprising 119 females (64.3%) and 66 males (35.7%), with a mean age of 29.77 ± 9.71 years. Inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy was detected in 103 individuals (55.6%), and turbinate morphology showed significant differences between groups ( p = 0.003). Significant differences were also found between the groups in terms of nasopalatine canal morphology ( p = 0.023), with the cylindrical type being the most common (37.3%). The anteroposterior nasal distance was measured as 1.89 ± 1.18 mm in the case group and 2.23 ± 1.22 mm in the control group ( p = 0.046); the mediolateral central distance was measured as 2.60 ± 1.15 mm and 2.96 ± 0.86 mm, respectively ( p = 0.009). No significant differences were found in terms of canal length and angle ( p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of nasal septum deviation ( p = 0.465). In this retrospective sample, impacted maxillary canines were associated with differences in selected nasopalatine canal dimensions and in the distribution of canal and inferior turbinate morphology. These findings support individualized anatomical assessment when CBCT is clinically indicated, but do not establish causation or demonstrate a reduction in surgical complications.