Radiographic Predictors of the Mandibular Lateral Lingual Canal

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07752914

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital210 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this retrospective observational study is to investigate whether mandibular canal dimensions and sublingual fossa morphology can serve as radiographic predictors of the mandibular lateral lingual canal (MLLC) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images of adults with unilateral MLLC will be retrospectively evaluated. Mandibular canal diameter, mental foramen diameter, and sublingual fossa depth will be compared between the side with the MLLC and the contralateral side. In addition, the location, diameter, and course of the MLLC will be analyzed to identify radiographic features associated with its presence and to improve preoperative assessment for mandibular surgical procedures.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

210

Conditions

Mandibular Canal Visibility MANDIBLE CBCT Segmentation

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria * Individuals aged 18 to 75 years. * Availability of previously acquired cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images obtained for diagnostic purposes. * Presence of a unilateral mandibular lateral lingual canal (MLLC) on CBCT images. * CBCT images of sufficient diagnostic quality to evaluate the location, diameter, and course of the MLLC. * Both mandibular sides included in the same CBCT examination, allowing comparison between the side with the MLLC and the contralateral side. * Absence of significant motion artifacts, metal artifacts, or reconstruction errors in the regions to be measured. Exclusion Criteria * CBCT images of insufficient quality for morphometric measurement or anatomical assessment. * Inability to clearly identify the mandibular canal, mental foramen, MLLC, or sublingual fossa boundaries. * Presence of bilateral mandibular lateral lingual canals. * History of surgery, trauma, fracture, resection, bone grafting, or implant placement in the mandibular region under evaluation. * Motion or metal artifacts that prevent reliable visualization or measurement of the anatomical structures. * History of systemic disease or syndrome affecting craniofacial or mandibular development. * Presence of cystic or tumoral lesions, exostoses, or other pathological changes affecting the region of interest. * History of orthodontic treatment affecting the region evaluated.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mandibular Canal Diameter

Mandibular canal diameter will be measured in millimeters (mm) on coronal CBCT images at the level of the mandibular first molar furcation on both the side with the mandibular lateral lingual canal (MLLC) and the contralateral side. Higher values indicate a larger mandibular canal diameter.