Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Radiol. Dec 28, 2015; 7(12): 531-537
Published online Dec 28, 2015. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v7.i12.531
Table 1 Classifications of mandibular canal branching (1971-2010)
Ref.ExamSamplePrevalence (mandibular canal branching)ClassificationFrequency of the typesRegion of originAspectDirectionLocal of termination
Carter et al[10] (1971)Unilateral radiographs and dissection8038.75%Type I61.25%Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenSingle large structure with very short dental branchesSuperior to the tips of molars rootsMental arborization
Type II13.75% (types 1 or 2)Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenSubstantially lower down, with dental branches given off more posteriorly, longer and obliqueOblique, toward the tips of molars rootsMental arborization
Type III25% (types 2 or 3)Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenTwo large branches initiated posteriorlyUppers like alveolar branchesUpper to the tips of the roots; Lower to mental forame
Nortjé et al[1] (1977)Panoramic radiographs36120.9Type Ia30.3% of duplication casesRamus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenTwo canals of a similar width (lower slightly narrower)Inferior narrower
Type IbRamus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenDouble (Superior narrower)Anterior
Type IIRamus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenDuplo (Superior shorter)AnteriorSuperior: toward 2nd and 3rd molars and inferior: toward mental foramen
Type IIIRamus region, from separated Mandibular ForamensDouble (Join in the molars region)AnteriorMolars region
Nortjé et al[9] (1977)3612Type IVRamus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenDouble (Superior narrower than the main canal)AnteriorRamus region
Langlais et al[11] (1985)Radiografias panorâmicas convencionais60000.95Type I38.6%Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenDouble (Superior shorter)Anterior3rd molar and adjacente region
Type II54.4%Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenDouble (Joining anteriorly)AnteriorRamus or mandibular body regions
Type III3.5%Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenDouble (Combination of types II and III)AnteriorRamus, retromolar ou 3rd molar regions
Type IV3.5%Ramus region, from separated Mandibular ForamensDouble (Joining anteriorly)InferiorRamus region
Kieser et al[12] (2005)Oclusal and unilateral radiographs and dissection107 mandibles (25 radiographic exams)0%Type I (detected by mean of dissections and radiographs)Ramus region, from a single Mandibular ForamenSingle, without branchesAnteriorMental foramen region
Type II (detectado em dissecações)Mandibular body regionSeries of individual branchesSuperiorAlveolar process (Edentulous mandibles)
Type III (detectado em dissecações)Molars regionMolar plexusSuperiorMolar region (Edentulous mandibles)
Type IV (detectado em dissecações)Distal and proximal regionsDistal and proximal plexusDistal plexus forward. Proximal plelxus toward superiorAlveolar process (Edentulous mandibles)
Naitoh et al[15] (2009)CBCT12265%Type I Retromolar29.8%Ramus regionSuperiorSuperiorRetromolar region
Type II Dental Canal (3º molar)7%Ramus regionSuperiorAnteriorRoot Apex of the third molar
Type II Dental Canal (2º molar)1.8%Ramus regionSuperiorAnteriorRoot Apex of the second molar
Type III Forward Canal (with confluence)4.5%Ramus regionSuperior (Joining to the main canal)AnteriorMandibular body
Type III Forward Canal (without confluence)55.3%Ramus regionSuperiorAnteriorMandibular body
Type IV Buccal or lingual canal1.8%Ramus regionLateralInferior (Buccal or lingual)Ramus region
Kuribayashi et al[14] (2010)CBCT301 unilateral exams from 252 patients15.60%Less than 50% of the diameter of the main canal51%Narrower (Less than 50% of the diameter of the main canal)
Equal or bigger than 50% of the diameter of the main canal49%Equal or bigger than 50% of the diameter of the main canal