Association of Bifid Mandibular Canal With Developmental Dental Anomalies and Pathologies in Children: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: The primary objective of this retrospective, observational cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of developmental dental anomalies and pathologies in children with bifid mandibular canal (BMC), as compared to single mandibular canal (SMC). Methods: This study examined 2 successive diagnostic panoramic radiographs from healthy, age-matched children (N equals 254), demonstrating BMC (N equals 127) or SMC (N equals 127). All panoramic radiographs were reviewed by calibrated, masked examiners for identification of dental anomalies of shape, number, position, structure, and other developmental anomalies and pathologies in a standardized condition. The data were statistically analyzed ( α equals 0.05). Results: Children with BMC had a significantly higher rate of shape (P=0.008), positional (P=0.002), and overall (P<0.001) dental anomalies compared to SMC patients. A significantly higher proportion of BMC patients had taurodontism (P=0.019), dilacerated roots (P=0.022), radiculomegaly (P<0.001), primary failure of eruption (P=0.004), rotation (P=0.011), infraocclusion (P=0.001), and mesially-displaced premolars (P=0.045) compared to patients with SMC. Conclusion: Children with bifid mandibular canal have a higher prevalence of shape and positional anomalies, which can have an impact on dental care.