Mandibular Canal

The mandibular canal, housing the inferior alveolar nerve, is a critical anatomical structure requiring precise identification in maxillofacial surgery and implantology. Current research heavily focuses on developing automated deep learning systems, employing architectures like 3D U-Nets and attention-based convolutional neural networks, to segment and locate the canal from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, improving upon manual methods. These systems are rigorously evaluated using metrics such as Dice similarity coefficient and symmetric mean curve distance, demonstrating promising reproducibility and accuracy comparable to, or exceeding, expert radiologists. This automated approach offers significant potential for increased efficiency, reduced error rates, and improved patient safety in dental and maxillofacial procedures.