Clinical and Anatomical Study of Retromolar Foramen and Canal

Purpose

The retromolar canal is a rare anatomic variation of the mandible. The neurovascular content of the mandibular retromolar canal is very important for surgical procedures involving the retromolar area and there has been a lack of information on this subject. This study consists of anatomic research of the retromolar foramen and canal, planned after an impacted third molar tooth extraction operation in which we encountered a retromolar neurovascular bundle.

Materials and Methods

Eighty sides of 40 mandibles were evaluated and the presence of the retromolar foramen and its relation to the last teeth, the transverse and sagittal distances of the retromolar trigone, and the distance of the retromolar foramen to the last socket of the arch were measured.

Results

The neurovascular bundle includes striated muscle fibers, thin myelinated nerve fibers, numerous venules and a muscular artery. Of the 40 mandibles included in this study, retromolar foramens were found in 10 (25%). The presence of the retromolar foramen is not dependent on the last teeth of the arch. The dimensions of the retromolar trigone were measured and the presence of the retromolar foramen was found to be nonrelevant to the dimensions of the retromolar trigone. Retromolar foramen distance from the distal edge of the last socket of the arch was found to be 11.91 ± 6.71 mm and 4.23 ± 2.30 mm, respectively, from the second and third molars.

Conclusions

This study therefore clearly establishes the incidence and importance of the retromolar canal. This study shows that the retromolar foramen and canal can be seen occasionally in routine dental surgery. Due to the neurovascular bundle passing through it, the retromolar canal and foramen must be kept in mind in all anesthetic and surgical approaches regarding the retromolar area and mandible.