Prevalence of bifid variations of the mandibular canal in an Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography.

Objectives: Bifid mandibular canal (MC) is an anatomical variation of the MC. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and shape of bifid MC in an Iranian population.

Materials and methods: A total of 681 patients who had undergone cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for different purposes between 2018 and 2020 were evaluated. After detection, bifid MCs were classified into four types forward, buccolingual, dental, and retromolar. CBCT images were assessed by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Data were analyzed by SPSS using an independent t-test and Chi-square test.

Results: Bifid MC was found in 23 (3.4%) out of 681 patients, with a mean age of 32.21 years. Ten patients (1.5%) had a bifid MC on the right side, 6 (0.9%) on the left side, and 7 (1%) bilaterally. However, no significant correlation was found between laterality and the prevalence of bifid MC (P > 0.05). Bifid MC was found in 8 males (34.8%) and 15 females (65.2%). Gender had no significant correlation with the prevalence of bifid MC (P > 0.05). Forward type was the most common (n = 8, 1.2%) followed by buccolingual (n = 5, 0.73%), dental (n = 2, 0.3%), and retromolar (n = 1, 0.14%) types.

Conclusion: According to the present results, bifid MC was not uncommon in the Iranian population of the present study, and forward type was the most common, followed by buccal and then dental bifid MCs. There was no significant correlation between sex and age with bifid MC but bifid MC was detected more frequently in females than males, and it was seen unilaterally in a higher percentage of the cases.