Evaluation of Greater Palatine Foramen and Incisive Canal Foramen among Saudi Patients using Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans

Abstract

Introduction: The greater palatine foramen (GPF) and incisive canal foramen (ICF) play an important role in administering the local anesthetics. Aim: To evaluate the anatomic and morphologic variability of GPF and ICF in relation to age and gender of Saudi dental patients using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the 182 CBCT scans of Saudi dental patients who were examined for GPF (n = 364) and ICF (n = 182) who had attended a private dental school. The relationship of GPF and ICF to the surrounding structures, midline maxillary suture (MMS) to the posterior border of the maxilla, dimensions and opening direction of ICF, and the dimensions of the canals were evaluated. Chi-square test, independent Student's t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were applied to elicit statistical significance. Results: Findings revealed that the gender variations were significant in lateral to medial diameter GPF, GPF distance to midline, GPF distance to posterior maxilla, and distance between ICF to GPF. Similarly, age groups showed differences in GPF distance to midline, and distance between ICF and GPF. A significant positive correlation between age and distance of IC to GPF was observed (r = 0.14, p = 0.007). Age showed a significant positive correlation with IC length (r = 0.151, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Age and gender differences were obvious with regard to dimension and morphology of the GPF, ICF, and other adjacent structures among Saudi dental patients as revealed by CBCT scans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]