Positions of the Mandibular Foramen and Canal in Different Skeletal Classes and Implications for Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy

• Published in: Journal of maxillofacial and oral surgery 2024-10, Vol.23 (5), p.1112-1121
• Main Authors: de Castro, Raquel Werczler Queiroz, Marlière, Daniel Amaral Alves, Haiter Neto, Francisco, Groppo, Francisco Carlos, Asprino, Luciana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dentistry; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Otorhinolaryngology; Patients; Plastic Surgery; Software; Surgery; Tomography; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0972-8279; 0974-942X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12663-024-02317-y

Objectives To evaluate the positions of the mandibular foramen (MF) and mandibular canal (MC) between different skeletal classes to highlight the implications for bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using cone-beam computed tomography on 90 patients classified into classes I, II and III. Linear measurements were performed on multiplanar reconstructions as follows: from the MF to the edge of the mandibular ramus (1), to the mandibular notch (2), to the ramus width (3) and to the occlusal plane (4); and from the MC to the alveolar crest (A), to the lower border of the mandible (B) and to the mandibular buccal cortical bone (C). Mandibular thickness (D), width (E) and height (F) of the MC were measured. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) checked the reliability. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used to compare measurements and classes. Results Linear measurements 2 presented a statistically significant difference between classes I and II. There was no statistically significant difference between the classes and measurements B, C, D, E and F. Linear measurements A were shorter in class III than in class II. Conclusions Although most measurements suggest that the BSSO technique does not need to be modified for each skeletal class, measurements from the MF to the mandibular notch in class II and from the MC to the alveolar crest on distal of the second molars in class III could help surgeons to recognize critical regions.