Morphometric analysis of the incisive canal and foramen using CBCT: a cross-sectional study of the Saudi subpopulation
Abstract
Background The incisive canal (IC) and foramen are key anatomical structures in the anterior maxilla that provide passage for the nasopalatine nerve and vascular branches between the nasal and oral cavities. This study aimed to identify the morphometric characteristics of these two structures in a group of individuals from Abha City, Saudi Arabia, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods Among the CBCT archived images acquired between May and August 2025 (N = 282), 200 scans were selected using computer-generated simple random sampling for eligibility screening; 100 eligible scans were included for morphometric analysis. The shape, length, position, and angulation of the canal (relative to the nasal floor), as well as the shape and diameters of the foramen, were evaluated, and their associations with age and sex were assessed. Results The funnel shape (32%) was the most frequently observed form of the IC, followed by the hourglass (21%) and cylindrical (19%) forms. The incisive foramen was predominantly oval-shaped (55%), with heart-shaped and triangular forms occurring less frequently. The average length of the canal was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in males (11.06 mm) than in females (9.28 mm). The mean buccopalatal measurement of the foramen was significantly (p = 0.001) higher in males (3.77 mm) than in females (3.06 mm). Most of the patients had a single canal with either one (58%) or two (23%) foramens. Most patients demonstrated mild to moderate angulation of the IC, regardless of age group or sex. Canal extension beyond the nasal floor was categorized as <7 mm, 7–9 mm, 10–12 mm, and >12 mm. Conclusions Within the limits of this study, we offer a comprehensive analysis of the morphometric characteristics of the IC and foramen across different age groups and sexes in a Saudi Arabian cohort using CBCT. Identification of variations in position and shape will help in clinical practice, particularly when administering local anesthetic block injections during dental treatment.