OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to analyze the incidence and the type of the bifid mandibular canal (BMC) by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

METHODSA total of 216 patients (104 female and 112 male) who underwent CBCT were included in this study. The CBCT images were evaluated for the incidence and the type of the BMC.

RESULTSBMC was observed in 39 (18.06%) of 216 patients and 50 (11.57%) of 432 sides, female 18 (17.31 %) and male 21 (18.75%). BMC were classified into four types: type I 17 sides (3.94%), type II 11 sides (2.55%), type III 20 sides (4.63%), and type IV 2 sides (0.46%).

CONCLUSIONBMC is detected at a high rate by using CBCT. When doctors perform surgical procedures in the mandible, they should pay attention to the anatomical variations of BMC of the mandibular canals.