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Comparative Study
. 2012 Oct;41(7):553-7.
doi: 10.1259/dmfr/22263461. Epub 2012 Jan 26.

Correlation of panoramic radiography and cone beam CT findings in the assessment of the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars and the mandibular canal

F S Neves  1 , T C Souza, S M Almeida, F Haiter-Neto, D Q Freitas, F N Bóscolo
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Correlation of panoramic radiography and cone beam CT findings in the assessment of the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars and the mandibular canal

F S Neves et al. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2012 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of four panoramic radiographic findings, both individually and in association, in predicting the absence of corticalization between the mandibular canal and the third molar on cone beam CT (CBCT) images.

Methods: The sample consisted of 72 individuals (142 mandibular third molars) who underwent pre-operative radiographic evaluation before extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. On panoramic radiographs, the most common signs of corticalization (darkening of roots, diversion of mandibular canal, narrowing of mandibular canal and interruption of white line) and the presence or absence of corticalization between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal on CBCT images were evaluated.

Results: Darkening of roots and interruption of white line associated with the absence of corticalization between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal on CBCT images were statistically significant, both as isolated findings (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0006, respectively) and in association (p = 0.002). No statistically significant association was observed for the other panoramic radiographic findings, either individually or in association (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Darkening of roots and interruption of white line observed on panoramic radiographs, both as isolated findings and in association, were effective in determining the risk relationship between the tooth roots and the mandibular canal, requiring three-dimensional evaluation of the case.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cropped panoramic radiographs showing (a) darkening of roots, (b) diversion of mandibular canal, (c) narrowing of mandibular canal and (d) interruption in white line
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cone beam CT cross-sectional images showing (a) presence and (b) absence of corticalization between the mandibular third molar and the mandibular canal
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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