Preoperative assessment of the relationship between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal by axial computed tomography with coronal and sagittal reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the relationship between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal by using axial computed tomography with coronal and sagittal reconstruction for third molar surgery.


METHODS
Forty-seven impacted third molars in 41 patients were found in close association with the mandibular canal during a panoramic radiographic assessment. The relationship between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal was evaluated by using computed tomography and compared in terms of operative exposure of the inferior alveolar nerve and postoperative labial dysesthesia.


RESULTS
Twenty-four (51%) mandibular canals were buccal relative to the third molar, 12 were lingual, 9 were inferior, and 2 were between roots. At the time of the surgical procedure, the inferior alveolar nerve was visible in 7 patients. Postoperative lower lip dysesthesia occurred in 1 patient whose mandibular canal was in the lingual position.


CONCLUSIONS
Axial computed tomography with coronal and sagittal reconstruction provides useful information to surgeons regarding the relationship between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal.
Fukui Medical University, Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Fukui, Japan.
Hidenobu
H
Maegawa
Kazuo
K
Sano
Yoshimasa
Y
Kitagawa
Toshiyuki
T
Ogasawara
Kazuki
K
Miyauchi
Joji
J
Sekine
Tsugio
T
Inokuchi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008046:Lip / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000517:prevention & control; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery