Evaluation of bifid mandibular canal types using cone beam computed tomography: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: The bifid mandibular canal (BMC) may increase the risk of neurovascular complications during mandibular surgery; therefore, accurate radiological assessment of the canal is of critical clinical importance. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BMCs and to examine their morphological characteristics according to type using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: In this study, CBCT images of 320 individuals (a total of 640 mandibular canals) were analyzed, and the presence and morphological types of BMCs were recorded. The BMCs were classified into four main types: (1) Forward type (branches extending anteriorly from the main canal, with intersecting or without intersecting), (2) Dental type (terminating at the level of the 1 st , 2 nd , or 3 rd molars), (3) Retromolar type, and (4) Buccolingual type (branches extending buccally or lingually from the main canal). Descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis, and the relationship between the presence of BMCs and sex was evaluated using the Chi-square test. Results: Among the 320 individuals included in the study (169 female, 151 male), BMCs were detected in 11.3% ( n = 36) of the right mandibles and 12.2% ( n = 39) of the left mandibles. The most common variation on the right side was the retromolar type (27.8%), followed by the dental type terminating at the third molar (19.4%) and the anteriorly extending with intersecting type (13.9%). On the left side, the retromolar type was also the most frequently observed variation (43.6%), followed by the anteriorly extending without intersecting type (17.9%). No statistically significant relationship was found between BMC presence and sex on either side (right: P > 0.05; left: P > 0.05). Conclusion: BMC may present in various morphological types, and preoperative radiological identification of these variations is of great importance in preventing potential neurovascular complications during surgical procedures.