Analysis of Canalis sinuosus prevalence by cone beam computed tomographs (CBCT)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to map the main locations of Canalis sinuosus (CS), to (i) identify accessory foramina in the hard palate region, (ii) indicate the prevalence, and (iii) view them when using CBCT images. A sample of 230 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations was obtained. The CBCT images that were generated by a multiplanar reconstruction of the axial and/or coronal planes were evaluated by On Demand 3D™ Dental software. The prevalence of Canalis sinuosus was 224 (97.4%). The examinations had at least one accessory foramen in the maxilla, with corticalization present in 189 (82.1%) for all of those evaluated. The presence of the one accessory foramen was in the anterior palate in 174 (75.65%), on both sides. The highest number was present in 149 examinations (64.8%) on the right side. The bilateral presence of this structure occurred in almost half of the examinations. The most common CS was Classification 3, near to the upper lateral incisor region, for both sides. It was clear that when planning for surgical interventions in the anterior maxilla, the study, and the identification of CS, as well as its ramifications and morphological variations, should be carefully studied and evaluated individually for each patient.