Evaluation of inferior alveolar canal course, entry point and visibility on digital panoramic radiographs: A radiographic study

The location and orientation of the inferior alveolar canal must be considered in any surgical procedures involving the posterior mandible. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the frequent structural changes of the inferior alveolar nerve course before conducting any treatment in this area. The aim of this study is to evaluate the course of inferior alveolar canal (IAC), visibility of the inferior alveolar canal, and Inferior Alveolar Canal origin in Punjabi population (North India).A total of 200 panoramic radiographs were selected and the course, visibility and origin of Inferior Alveolar Canal were evaluated on left and right side of the mandible. The collected data were subsequently processed and analyzed using SPSS software version 20. The most common type of canal on right and left side was curved type, and the less common was Angled type. In the region of the third molar, on Right side, the mandibular canal was partially visible in 1.5% of cases, clearly visible in 96.5%, and invisible in 2%; whereas on left side, it was clearly visible in 97%, partially visible in 5%and invisible in 2.5%. The entrance point of the canal was located in the middle third area of the ramus in 87% of cases on the right side and 90% cases on the left side, and that the entrance point of the canal in the lower third area was 7.5% on the right side and 3.5% on the left side.This study was done to evaluate course, visibility, and entry point of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Canal on the Orthopantomograph. In our present study, the most common type of canal on right and left side was , and the less common was The entrance point of the canal was located in majority in the on left and right side of the mandible. of Inferior Alveolar Canal was more on distal regions of the canal on the both the sides of the mandible.