Assessment of the incidence of lateral incisive canals in a Japanese population using dental cone-beam computed tomography

Purpose: This observational study employed dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the incidence and anatomical features of neurovascular structures within the lateral incisive canal (LIC). Methods CBCT images obtained from 221 patients were evaluated to determine the presence, diameter, and length of the LIC. Results In this study, LICs were identified in 24.4% of the included CBCT images (bilaterally in 61.1% and unilaterally in 38.9%). One LIC was observed in 57.4% of cases, while two and three LICs were observed in 16.7% and 14.8% of cases, respectively, with only a minority of cases displaying four to six LICs. The mean diameters of the LIC and foramen were 0.7 ± 0.3 mm (0.3 − 1.8) and 0.8 ± 0.4 mm (0.3–2.3), respectively. Moreover, the mean length of the LIC was 8.9 ± 4.1 mm (2.1–32.3). The incidence of LICs (24.4%) in our study was lower than that reported in previous CBCT studies on Asian populations. However, it is important to note that there may be regional differences in the incidence of anatomical structures, even among individuals of the same race. Conclusion Identification of the LIC through CBCT can provide valuable information for surgical procedures involving the anterior maxilla.