Сross-sectional anatomic study of direct positional relationships between mandibular canal and roots of posterior teeth using cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Objectives: To establish the frequency of the various types of direct contacts of the root apices with the wall of the mandibular canal and to determine gender differences in number of such contacts in a selected Belarusian population using cone beam computed tomography. Methodology: One hundred and two cone beam computed tomography scans were analyzed to classify the types of contact and three-dimensional relationship between the mandibular teeth and the mandibular canal. Results: The direct contact between the teeth and the mandibular canal was observed in 63.7% of patients. Overall 300 roots of 189 teeth were in direct contact with the mandibular canal: 9.3% were second premolars, 14.7% were first molars, 33.8% were second molars and 50.0% were third molars. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of teeth with direct contact with the mandibular canal between males and females. Conclusion: The direct contact of the root apices with the mandibular canal was most often found in the second and third molars. The root apices of the third molars had the greatest variability of location relatively to the mandibular canal.

CBCT Study of Root Apices Distance to Mandibular Canal in Peruvian Population

“…The mandibular canal contains blood vessels and the mandibular nerve, which is prone to damage in 68% of cases due to different dental treatments, such as endodontics, tooth extractions and dental implant placement. This can generate symptoms such as pain, hypoesthesia and numbness, among others, in patients (2,4,5). Injury to the mandibular nerve can be caused by inadequate identification of its location in panoramic radiographs where a diminished appearance of the mandibular canal is observed (22).…”

“…The morphological characteristics and the location of the mandibular canal may vary according to each individual person and ethnic group. The roots of the teeth at the mandibular level are located relatively close to this canal, meaning it could be damaged during dental treatments (4,5).…”