Review on the presence of bifid mandibular canal

The mandibular canal transmits the inferior alveolar artery, vein and the inferior alveolar nerve. From an embryological perspective, there might be three inferior dental nerves innervating three groups of mandibular teeth. During rapid prenatal growth and remodeling in the ramus region there is spread of intramembranous ossification that eventually forms the mandibular canal. The presence of bifid mandibular canal reported in the literature varies from 0.08% to 0.9%. The mandibular canal is responsible for the innervations of pulp tissue of all mandibular teeth is a target area for mandibular block technique. An extra mandibular canal may explain inadequate anesthesia, especially when two mandibular foramina are present. During a mandibular surgery, a second or even third, neurovascular bundle maybe damaged causing paresthesia causing neuroma development or bleeding.