Evaluation of mandibular anterior nutrient canals in hypertensive patients - A prospective case control radiographic (IOPAR) study

Nutrient canals are anatomic structures of the alveolar bone through which neurovascular elements transit to supply teeth and supporting structures. Nutrient canals is a potential marker for clinical disease. Nutrient canals are clearly visible in intra-oral periapical radiographs (IOPAR) which are routinely used in diagnosing and evaluating diseases of teeth and jaw. The study was conducted at Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Institute of Dental Sciences Bareilly, India. Ethical approval for carrying out the present study was obtained from the research ethics committee of the same college, and informed consent was obtained from each subject. The study population was taken from the patients attending the outpatient department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, a total number of 100 patients divided into a control group comprising of 45 normotensive healthy individuals without history of hypertension which will be further divided into 3 sub-groups. A study group of 55 hypertensive patients will be further subdivided into further 3 sub-groups. The intraoral paralleling cone technique (long cone technique) was used for making mandibular anterior periapical radiographs. The results of present study showed that, the incidence of nutritive canals was more in patients who had hypertension associated with periodontal conditions according to bone loss, about 80% and it is significant in numbers. The incidence of nutritive canals in hypertensive and normotensive patients was not significant in patients with no bone loss and edentulous patients.