Relationship between maxillary central incisors and incisive canal: a cone-beam computed tomography study

Background: This study aimed to assess the relationship between the maxillary incisors and the incisive canal (IC) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Archived CBCT scan from 120 subjects (60 males and 60 females, mean age 34.2 +/- 13.1 years) were analysed in this cross-sectional study. The following variables were measured: incisor/palatal plane (PP), IC/PP angles, palatal alveolar bone width (PABW) at apex, IC width, inter-root width at apex and IC level to incisor apex. The relationship between the incisors and IC with respect to sex and age was calculated using one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t-test, and regression analysis. Results: The confidence level was set at 95%. Results showed that half of the study population exhibited IC palatal opening at the level of the maxillary incisor apices. Significant associations were observed between IC/PP and incisor/PP angles and between IC width and PABW at the apical level (p < 0.05), and between age and IC width in the sagittal and axial perspectives and age and IC level relative to the incisor apices. A significant association was observed between sex and IC/PP angle, IC width in the sagittal perspective, and PABW at the apical level. The association was found between IC and maxillary incisors angulations but not between IC width and inter-root distance. Conclusions: Age showed varied associations while sex was significantly associ- ated with most variables assessed.