title: Correlation between radiographic signs of third molar proximity with inferior alveolar nerve and postoperative occurrence of neurosensory disorders: a prospective, double-blind study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the interference of radiographic factors in the appearance of sensory deficit related to inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) after third molars (3Ms) removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, double-blind, observational, unicentric study was performed with 126 patients submitted to a surgical procedure of lower 3Ms removal in the period from March to October/2011. Collected data included gender, age, eruption stage of 3Ms, position/angle of 3Ms (Pell-Gregory and Winter classifications, respectively), presence/absence of radiographic signs of 3Ms proximity with the inferior alveolar canal and surgical technique. Occurrence evaluation of the IAN injury was performed on the seventh postoperative day through pin-prick, two-point discrimination and brush directional stroke tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Predominant radiographic signs were: narrowing of the inferior alveolar canal (68.25%), darkening of root (46.82%) and diversion of the canal (31%). None of the patients presented sensory loss. Sixty-one (48.41%) of the cases had at least one or two radiographic signs of proximity with NAI. Forty-seven (37.3%) had 3 or more signs, and 18 (14.29%) did not have any radiographic signs of proximity to mandibular canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was not a positive correlation between presence of radiographic signs of 3Ms with IAN proximity and postoperative neurosensory disorders occurrence.
authors.affiliation: Division of Stomatology and Oral Surgery, Campus Sobral, UFC, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. fwildson@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Fábio Wildson Gurgel
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Erick Helton Lima
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Fontenele
authors.forename: Tácio Pinheiro
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.forename: Thyciana Rodrigues
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Bárbara Gressy Duarte Souza
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Eduardo Costa Studart
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011859:Radiography; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult