The Lingual Foramen Variations Detected on Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Volumes: a Retrospective Radiographic Study

Objective This study aims to investigate the anatomical variations of lingual foramina detected on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) volumes in a sample of the Palestinian population seeking dental implant treatment.Methods A retrospective radiographic study was conducted on patients' CBCT volumes. The lingual foramina (LF) number, direction (e.g., superior median [SMLF], horizontal median [HMLF], and inferior superior median [IMLF]), height (LH), width (LW) and length (LL) were recorded on CBCT views. Distances from the buccal and lingual aspects of the lingual foramina to the superior and inferior aspects of the alveolar ridge were measured. Moreover, the presence of lateral lingual foramina was also examined. Statistical significance in the differences and relationships of the variables was tested using several statistical tests. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyze intra- and interobserver agreement.Results One hundred and nineteen patients were analyzed. 78.99% of patients presented with one lingual foramen,17.65% and 3.36% with two and three canals, respectively. The measurements LH, LW, and ML were, on average, 0.64mm,0.8mm, and 7.06mm, respectively. The LH, LL, and LW showed a statistical difference when compared for different lingual foramina directions.Conclusion Among the analyzed sample, the majority of the lingual canals were single and pointing upward. Few individuals had lateral lingual canals visible. A careful assessment utilizing cross-sectional views is strongly advised to analyze the lingual canal's structure and rule out any potential anatomical variation.