Relationship Between the Mandibular Canal and the Roots of the Mandibular Third Molars of Young Patients in Talca

Paula Ortiz Cantos & Jaime San Pedro Valenzuela

Summary

The mandibular third molars are teeth that are removed frequently, so it is important to make a good assessment before surgery, given the potential complications and the potential damage to the inferior alveolar nerve. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the third molar roots and the mandibular canal in young patients. To achieve this, we evaluated 90 orthopantomographs, with a total sample of 180 mandibular third molars of both sexes, between 15- and 25-year-old patients. Of the total sample, 55.6% were observed to be projected over the mandibular canal, 25.6% were adjacent to the mandibular canal, and 18.9% were not adjacent. In turn, of those projected over the mandibular canal, 88% showed an increase in radiolucence, 6% had canal deviation, 5% had cortical bone disruption, and only 1% had deviation and narrowing; these results are consistent with what other authors found. One of the three most important radiographic signs of potential damage to the inferior alveolar nerve with cortical bone disruption and deviation or narrowing of the canal, the presence of at least two of these signs means a greater likelihood of contact being required to make further studies with non-conventional techniques such as computed tomography. KEYWORDS: Molar third; Radiography panoramic; Mandible.

How to cite this article

ORTIZ, C. P. & SAN PEDRO, V. J. Relationship between the mandibular canal and the roots of the mandibular third molars of young patients in Talca. Int. J. Odontostomat., 3(2):131-135, 2009.