INCIDENTAL DETECTION OF A RETROMOLAR CANAL ON CONE-BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: A CASE REPORT

In this case report, a retromolar canal was incidentally detected during a cone beam computed tomography examination of a 36-year-old male patient who was evaluated before orthognathic surgery. Panoramic radiography allowed the assessment of the dental findings, whereas the retromolar canal could only be visualized in detail using cone beam computed tomography. The retromolar canal is one of the most common anatomical variations of the mandibular canal and may increase the risk of complications, including neurovascular injury, bleeding, and paresthesia, during surgical procedures. This case highlights the importance of carefully evaluating mandibular canal variations before surgical treatment planning.