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Objective: This aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and branching patterns of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) in premolar and molar areas using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method and materials: CBCT volumes from partially or fully edentulous premolar and molar areas were investigated retrospectively. The presence of such branches with their patterns, sides, and areas, as well as the sex of the patient, were recorded by two observers and analyzed statistically. The branching patterns were initially classified into three types: A, superior type; B, forward type; and C, plexus type. During the investigation, an additional type was found in the premolar area and was classified as type D, an anterior extension type. Results: In total, 243 mandibular sites in 176 subjects were included. Among them, 106 sites displayed branches (43.62%). In the premolar area, most branches were of the anterior extension type (D, 33%), followed by the superior and plexus types (A and C, respectively, 29%), and the forward type (B, 9%). In the molar area, the plexus type was the most common finding (C, 39%), followed by the superior type (A, 32%) and the forward type (B, 29%). Branches in the molar area were significantly more frequent in men than in women (P = .011). Conclusion: IAC branches with four branching patterns in the premolar and molar areas are not rare and could be detected by CBCT. Clinicians should be aware of these branches during surgical procedures concerning the posterior mandible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the retromolar canal and its various patterns using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method and Materials: CBCT images with the presence of mandibular third molars from August 2013 to May 2015 were retrospectively investigated. The presence of retromolar canal, its patterns, sides, as well as gender were evaluated by two observers. The pattern of retromolar canal was initially classified into three types: Type A, superior type; Type B, radicular-retromolar type; and Type C, dental type. During the investigation, two additional types were found and further classified: Type D, plexus type; and Type E, forward type. The distribution of retromolar canals between genders and sides was statistically analyzed with Pearson's chisquare test. Results: A total of 201 mandibular sites in 156 subjects (99 women, 57 men) were included. Among them, 128 sites had retromolar canals (63.68%). The presence of retromolar canal was not statistically related to gender or side. Most of the retromolar canals were the radicular-retromolar type (Type B, 38.10%), followed by the superior type (Type A, 29.93%), dental type (Type C, 19.73%), plexus type (Type D, 6.80%), and forward type (Type E, 5.44%). Conclusion: There was a high frequency of retromolar canals and these could be classified into five patterns. The clinician should be aware of this anatomical structure when performing surgical procedures involving the retromolar area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]