title: Measurement of the lingual position of the lower third molar roots using cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the distance between the roots of the impacted third molars and the floor of the mouth to predict the risk of lingual root displacement during surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients (5 men and 26 women) were evaluated for this study using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The teeth were grouped according to their position on the orthopantomogram as vertical, mesioangular, horizontal, and distoangular. The distance between 2 points on the roots and lingual soft tissues was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average distance between the apex of the root, which is in the most lingual position, and the lingual cortical plate was 1.03 mm. The average distance between the most lingual point on the apical half of the root, which is in closer proximity, and the lingual cortical plate was 0.65 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distance between the apices and the lingual plate is very short, which allows displacement of broken roots or teeth, especially when the lingual plate is perforated.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: yusufemes@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Emes
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oncu
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Buket
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aybar
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nazar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Badri
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Halim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Işsever
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Belir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yalçın
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult