Statement of problem

Accessory canals of the canalis sinuosus, a bony canal carrying the anterior superior alveolar nerve and vessels, can often be present but overlooked in the anterior maxilla. Dental implant placement in this area may damage neurovascular branches if this anatomic variation is not carefully identified, resulting in unexpected complications.

Purpose

The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify accessory canals of the canalis sinuosus and analyze their relationship to the terminal canalis sinuosus and anterior maxilla in Chinese patients to provide a warning for surgeons operating in the anterior maxilla.

Material and methods

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 1007 Chinese patients were examined to identify the prevalence and size of accessory canals with at least 1.0-mm diameter. Axial position of this canal was classified referring to the nasal cavity and adjacent teeth. Its sagittal position was determined by the distance from the bifurcation site of canalis sinuosus to the buccal alveolar crest and the distance from the canal opening to the palatal alveolar crest. Diameter of the terminal canalis sinuosus, distance from the terminal canalis sinuosus to the buccal alveolar crest, and anterior maxillary volume were measured on all scans. Binary logistic regression and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used for prevalence and diameter analysis.

Results

The prevalence of the accessory canal was 36.9%, positively correlated the anterior maxillary volume (OR 1.408) and negatively correlated with the distance from the terminal canalis sinuosus to the buccal alveolar crest (OR 0.921). Average diameter of such canal was 1.1 ±0.1 mm, significantly higher in men, positively correlated with the diameter of terminal canalis sinuosus (r_s=0.163) and the distance from the canal opening to the palatal alveolar crest (r_s=0.192). All accessory canals started below the buccal cortical bone, 19.3 ±2.7 mm away from the buccal alveolar crest. There were 61.9% accessory canals opened between the central and the lateral incisors. Openings here and in the central incisor region were closer to the alveolar crest than that between the lateral incisor and the canine (P<.05).

Conclusions

Accessory canals of the canalis sinuosus have high prevalence in the anterior maxilla in a Chinese population. Large anterior maxillary volume has been demonstrated as a risk factor associated with the presence of such canals. The region between the central and the lateral incisors was a predominant location. Openings in this region were closer to the alveolar crest than those between the lateral incisor and the canine.