CONE-BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ASSESSMENT OF THE NASOPALATINE CANAL DIMENSIONS CONSIDERING THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH DENTAL IMPLANT PLACEMENT IN A SAMPLE OF YEMENI POPULATION

Objective: To radiographically assess the anatomical variations and dimensions of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) using
cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and evaluate their relationship with gender, age, and dental condition in a
Yemeni population to guide safe dental implant placement in the anterior maxilla.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 335 CBCT scans of adult Yemeni
patients (≥18 years). NPC length and diameters at the incisive and nasal foramina were measured. Comparisons were
performed according to gender, age (18–45 vs. >45 years), dental condition (dentate vs. edentulous), and number of
missing maxillary central incisors. Statistical analyses included normality testing, independent t-tests/Mann–Whitney tests, chi-square tests, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for reliability.
Results: The mean NPC length was 9.93 ± 2.30 mm. Mean NPC diameters at the incisive and nasal foramina were
3.03 ± 0.80 mm and 3.16 ± 1.21 mm, respectively. NPC length and both foraminal diameters were significantly greater
in males than females (p<0.05). The incisive foramen diameter was significantly larger in older (>45 years) and
edentulous patients (p<0.05), whereas nasal foramen diameter showed no significant association with age or dental
condition. Patients missing one central incisor demonstrated a significantly longer NPC compared with those missing
both.
Conclusion: Considerable variability exists in NPC dimensions in the Yemeni population, influenced mainly by
gender and, to a lesser extent, age and dental status. Preoperative CBCT evaluation of the NPC is essential to minimize complications during implant placement in the anterior maxilla.