title: Does computed tomography prevent inferior alveolar nerve injuries caused by lower third molar removal?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the utility of computed tomography (CT) in preventing inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury owing to lower third molar extraction in close relation to the IAN on orthopantomogram.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study design of 150 lower third molar extractions was performed. Patients were divided in 2 groups: the CT group (n = 95) underwent panoramic radiography and mandibular CT and the control group (n = 55) underwent only panoramic radiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six extractions (4%) in the control group and 15 (10%) in the CT group resulted in IAN impairment (P > .05). Logistic regression models did not show that undergoing CT decreased the risk of IAN injury from lower third molar extraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient age and positive radiographic signs (darkening of the root and narrowing of the inferior alveolar canal) were associated with more requests for CT scanning. CT does not seem to significantly decrease the risk of producing IAN injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sanmartí-Garcia
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valmaseda-Castellón
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gay-Escoda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*