Morphology and Morphometrics of the Mandibular Canal in a Black South African Population

Background/Objectives: Damage to the contents of the mandibular canal is of great concern during endodontological procedures, particularly in the region of the mandibular molar teeth due to their proximity to the mandibular canal. The objectives of this study were to assess variations in the morphology and dimensions of the mandibular canal between the sexes in a Black South African population. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans of 30 mandibles were analysed bilaterally to determine the presence of an anterior loop and/or bifid canals in the sagittal view. The distance between the root apices of the first and second mandibular molars and the mandibular canal were determined using the coronal CBCT view. The distance between the mandibular canal and the buccal and lingual cortical plates were also measured. Results: Anterior loops were identified in 11.67% of cases, while bifid mandibular canals were present in 5% of cases. The mean distance between the mandibular canal ranged between 5.45 and 6.71 mm for the first molar mesial and distal roots and between 2.37 and 3.62 mm for the second molar roots. The mean distance between the mandibular canal and the lingual cortical plate ranged between 1.75 and 2.84 mm for first molars and 1.40–1.91 mm for second molars. The buccal cortical plate distances ranged from 3.14 to 4.97 mm and 5.21–5.75 mm for the first and second molars, respectively. No statistically significant sex differences were demonstrated for the morphometric measurements. Conclusions: The observed mandibular canal variations between populations and sexes highlight the need for patient-specific planning prior to oral dental procedures. Imaging modalities, such as CBCT scans, are essential for accurate measurements between landmarks and the identification of anatomical variations. These findings provide preliminary insights into mandibular canal anatomy in a Black South African sample that should be considered in dental procedures. No significant sex differences were observed; however, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the study’s limited statistical power. These findings cannot yet be generalised or extrapolated to the Black South African population.