Prevalence and Morphometric Study of the Canalis Sinuosus in Latin American Individuals Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography

Aim: The aim was to determine the prevalence and morphometric characteristics of the Canalis sinuosus (CS) and its accessory canals (ACs) in Latin American individuals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 136 tomographic volumes obtained from reference radiology centers in Chile (n = 47), Colombia (n = 43), and El Salvador (n = 46). The equipment used included EAGLE 3D, J. Morita, and Orthophos SL 3D (Dentsply Sirona). The study evaluated the presence or absence of the CS and its anatomical variations, including whether they were unilateral or bilateral. Furthermore, the study evaluated the terminal diameter of the CS and the position of its opening. Pearson’s Chi-square test, Mann–Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression were applied. Results: A 100% prevalence of the CS was found in 272 maxillary sides, with ACs present in 62.1% of samples. No significant differences were observed in terms of sex or age. The CS commonly terminated anterior to the incisive canal (38.7%) and at the maxillary central incisor (25.1%). Binary logistic regression showed no significant associations between sex or age and the presence of ACs. In female patients, the average sagittal diameter of the CS was 1.27 mm, and the coronal diameter was 1.28 mm (p > 0.05). Additionally, the location of the CS termination showed no significant relation to the sex of the evaluated patients (p = 0.873). Conclusion: The Canalis sinuosus and its ACs should be regarded as typical anatomical structures due to their high frequency, irrespective of sex or age. Clinical significance: Oral and maxillofacial radiologists need to understand the anatomical structure of the CS, mainly due to the frequency of surgical procedures performed in the anterior maxilla, to minimize the risk of complications.