Comparsion of Incisive Foramen Shape and Size in Panoramic and CBCT images

Abstract

Introduction: The incisive foramen or nasopalatine foramen, is one of the most important anatomical structures located in the anterior of maxilla.Problems relating to the incisive foramen may occur when the treatment plan includes implantation. Dentists's knowledge of the size and shape of the foramen before the surgery can help prevent complications relating to the placement of the implant. The aim of the present study was to compare the location, shape and diameter of the incsisive foramen in panoramic and CBCT images. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 106 panoramic and CBCT images that were prescribed simultaneously were selected from the archive of a private office. In panoramic images, the shape and the transverse size of foramen were determined by the software.The largest diameter of the radiolucent foramen was recorded.In CBCT images, axial sections were examined by scrolling and the section with the largest diameter of the foramen was chosen. The results were analyzed using the SPSS 20 software, Chi-square and T-test. Results:

The size of the foramen in CBCT images (4/22 ± 0/69mm) is significantly larger than the size (3/79 ± 0/68mm) in panoramic images. In panoramic images, 91/5% of the foramens were oval shaped and 8/5% were round.In CBCT images, 42/5% were round and 57/5 were heart-shaped. In both panoramic and CBCT imaging systems, the size of the foramen was significantly larger in men than in women. There was also no significant difference in the shape of the foramen based on gender. Conclusion: The foramen diameter measured in the panoramic images was 10.25% smaller than the CBCT images. The most common form observed in panoramic images was oval, while the most common form of foramen in CBCT images was heart-shaped.