Assessment of Influence of Age and Gender on Morphological Variations of Nasopalatine Canal Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Radiographic Observational Study

Aim: To assess the shape of the nasopalatine canal in the sagittal plane, coronal plane and axial plane. To assess the length of the nasopalatine canal in the sagittal plane and to assess the Influence of age and gender on these parameters of nasopalatine canal.

Methodology: A sample of 90 subjects were taken. Shape of nasopalatine canal in sagittal plane is assessed in males and females and all the age groups and classified as cylindrical, funnel, hourglass and spindle shape. The shape of the NPC in the coronal plane is classified according to Bornstein as Single (type A), double (type B), Y shaped (type C). The shape of the NPC at the mid-level was assessed in the axial plane and classified as oval, round, heart and triangular shape. The length of the nasopalatine canal is measured in the sagittal plane.

Results: The results showed cylindrical shape was most common in sagittal plane which showed statistical significance. Results showed males have significant longer canals than females. In coronal plane, Y shape was prevalent, but no significant results were observed. In the axial plane, in males and females was heart shape and round shape were prevalent respectively. In the axial plane, the most common shape of NPC was heart shape in group I and group III, round shape in group II. No statistically significant results observed.

Conclusion: The present study concluded there were significant morphological variations of NPC in males and females in different age groups. These morphological variations may cause complications during different treatment procedures. Assessment of the NPC using CBCT helps in implant rehabilitation and surgical treatment planning.