Frequency of Bifid Mandibular Canals and Their Relationship with the Mandibular Third Molar Teeth: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of an Iranian Population

Introduction: Considering the importance of avoiding the outcomes of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve and its accessory branches, the present study was conducted with the purpose of determining the frequency of bifid mandibular canals using cone beam computed tomography images in an Iranian population. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study, 221 CBCT images were evaluated in terms of presence/absence of BMC. In the case of detection of a bifid mandibular canal, the type of bifidity was identified according to the classification of Langlais et al. Furthermore, the relationship between the BMCs and the apices of the third molar teeth was determined based on a classification formerly developed by Correr et al. Results: Among the whole 221 CBCT images evaluated, 6 (2.7%) bifid mandibular canals were detected. The bifidity types were as follows: 4 canals with 1U type, 1 canal with 2UR type and 1 canal with 2BC type. Regarding the relationship of the bifid canals with the mandibular third molar teeth, 1 canal was type A, 4 were type B and 1 was related to a patient not having the third molar teeth. Furthermore, no significant relations were found between the presence of BMCs and the patientsʹ genders (P = 0.67). Conclusion: BMCs did not show a remarkable frequency in our study. However, precise evaluation of the patientsʹ radiographic records is mandatory for the detection of BMCs in order to reduce hazardous and unexpected outcomes.