Anatomical and Morphological Characterization of Nasopalatine Canal Using Focused Small Field of View on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Author(s): Vikash Ranjan*, Soumendu Bikash Maiti, Pratyush Sharma, Vinay Kumar Mathadey, Tasaduq Ahmad Wani and Garima Sharma
Abstract
Background and Aim: Present retrospective study was performed to evaluate the general anatomy, size, shape, angulations, and curvature of the nasopalatine canal using focused small field of view On Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and to determine the correlation of these variability with different age groups and gender. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included 45 subjects aged between 14 and 79 years who further divided into the following 3 group’s i.e.14-35 years, 36-57 years, 58-79years. Out of 45 subjects 30 were male and 15 were females. CBCT was performed using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocol. The data of the CBCT images were sliced in three dimensions. Image planes on the three axes (X, Y, and Z) were sequentially analyzed for the location, morphology and dimensions of the nasopalatine canal. The correlation of age and gender with all the variables was evaluated. Results: The present retrospective study evaluated all the parameters relating NPC with respect to age and gender which showed gender wise significant differences in the length of the canal in sagittal section and did not reveal statistically significant differences in shape and size of incisive fossa in axial section, opening of Stenson’s foramen in coronal section and shape, length, angulations and curvature in the sagittal section. Conclusion: The present retrospective study highlighted importance of anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal and its importance and complications for implant placement in anterior maxilla.