DOI: 10.69601/meandrosmdj.1999315 ISSN: 2149-9063

Evaluation of Submandibular Fossa Depth and Mandibular Canal Anatomy Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Selin Yeşiltepe, Gökhan Özkan, Emre Köse, Sinem Bedir Bulut, Sultan Keles
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Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the depth of the submandibular fossa (SMFD), the anatomical characteristics of the mandibular canal (MC), and their relationship according to sex and age using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the mandibular first and second molar regions.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included CBCT images of 550 adults (≥18 years) obtained at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, between January and June 2026. SMFD, MC diameter, the vertical relationship between the MC and the SMF, and the buccal, lingual, and inferior bone thicknesses surrounding the MC were evaluated in the bilateral first and second molar regions. Measurements were compared according to sex and age groups (18–35, 36–50, and ≥51 years). Linear mixed-effects models were used to determine the effects of sex, age, mandibular side, and molar region on SMFD and MC diameter.Results: Intra-observer reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.81–0.94). SMFD, MC diameter, and buccal bone thickness were significantly greater in the second molar region than in the first molar region, whereas lingual and inferior bone thicknesses were lower (p < 0.05). Males exhibited significantly greater SMFD, MC diameter, and inferior bone thickness than females in all evaluated regions (p < 0.001). Type I SMFD was the most common anatomical pattern, while the inferior position was the predominant location of the MC. Age had a limited effect on the evaluated parameters. Linear mixed-effects analysis demonstrated that sex and molar region were significant predictors of SMFD, whereas sex was the only significant predictor of MC diameter.Conclusion: The anatomical characteristics of the SMF and MC exhibit considerable individual variation. Sex appears to have a greater influence than age on posterior mandibular anatomy. Because anatomical variations may increase the risk of lingual cortical perforation and neurovascular injury, preoperative CBCT evaluation should be considered an essential component of implant planning and other surgical procedures involving the posterior mandible.

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