The gubernacular canal in tooth eruption
an integrative literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35699/2178-1990.2026.59916Keywords:
tooth germ, tooth eruption, unerupted tooth, odontoma, cone-beam computed tomographyAbstract
Introduction: The gubernacular canal (GC) is an anatomical structure that remains poorly studied by dental professionals. It is theorized that this structure is directly related to the tooth eruption process, acting as a path followed by the erupting tooth. Supposedly, alterations in this structure may lead to eruptive disturbances. It has also been observed a close relationship with odontogenic cysts and tumors, potentially playing a role in the etiology of these lesions and serving as an additional factor in their diagnosis.
Objective: To gather and compile information regarding the imaging features of the GC, its role in the eruption process, and its possible association with odontogenic lesions.
Materials and Methods: This is an integrative literature review based on searches conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, and Scielo databases, using the descriptors “gubernacular canal,” “gubernacular cord,” “gubernaculum dentis,” “gubernacular tract,” “gubernaculum tract,” “gubernaculum cord,” and “gubernaculum canal.” Case reports and scientific studies were included without restriction on year or language. Articles available only as abstracts, studies without full text, animal studies, literature and systematic reviews, studies not primarily focused on characterizing the GC, and studies unrelated to dentistry were excluded.
Results: The search yielded 480 articles, of which 15 were included. Among these, 14 studies used computed tomography and 1 performed histological analysis. In total, 2,400 individuals and 4,812 teeth were evaluated. The prevalence of GC in tomographic exams ranged from 3.7% to 98.9%, being higher in teeth with normal eruption and no eruptive disturbances. The GC was also identified in molars, indicating that it is not restricted to permanent teeth with deciduous predecessors.
Conclusion: The gubernacular canal presents specific imaging characteristics that contribute to the understanding of the tooth eruption process. Moreover, when associated with lesions, the GC proves to be a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of odontogenic lesions, as it is found in association with these but not with lesions of non-odontogenic origin.
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