title: Diagnostic difficulties of complex root morphology: case study of a lower wisdom tooth.
abstract: We did a panoramic radiographic examination of a symptomatic lower third molar for surgical planning and risk assessment. This showed a close association with the inferior dental canal, in addition to uncertain root morphology. A periapical radiograph showed evidence of additional smaller curved roots. Axial computed tomography (CT) with coronal reformats did not provide further information about the morphology of the root. After removal of the tooth, its root form was compared with the diagnostic images. The periapical radiograph provided the most information about the morphology of the additional roots. The axial and reformatted coronal CT showed accurately the position and tortuous course of the inferior dental canal.
authors.affiliation: Department Of Oral Surgery, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Dental Institute, King's College London, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW, UK.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tagar
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010497:Pericoronitis / Q000601:surgery; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging