Comparison of Diagnostic Value of Indicators of Mandibular Third Molar Root Position Relative to Inferior Alveolar Canal in Panoramic Radiography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

 Although using panoramic images of the third impacted molars and assessing their proximity to mandibular canal, this technique has limitations such as two-dimensional nature and magnifications occurred which calls to use a three-dimensional radiographic modalities such as CBCT. This study compared the location of the mandibular third molar’s roots regarding the inferior alveolar canal using panoramic radiography and CBCT techniques.

 In a descriptive-analytical trial, 103 radiographic images of the patients’ impacted mandibular third molars were selected from the archives of Radiology Department of Tehran Dental School and assessed by means of panoramic and CBCT techniques. Three oral & maxillofacial radiologists assessed the positions of the mandibular third molars’ roots regarding the inferior alveolar canal in the panoramic and CBCT images at 2 time intervals. The assessments were repeated for next 2 weeks again. And then they were done on CBCT images. Frequency and percent of panoramic signs indicating the proximity of the mandibular third molars regarding buccal, lingual and medial positions of the teeth were obtained among the observers and 2 time intervals and the results were statistically analyzed by chi-square test. Significance level was considered to be 0.05 (p value = 0.05).

 Of total 103 impacted mandibular third molars, 56 (54.4%) had lingual location, 25 (24.3%) had medial location and 22 (21.3%) shoed buccal locations of the roots towards mandibular canal. (p value < 0.002) The frequency of the root deflections (p value < 0.003), diversion of canals (p value < 0.03), narrowings of the roots (p value < 0.005), interruption of the borders (p value < 0.006) and narrowing of the canals (p value < 0.04) were higher in the buccal positions of the third molar roots towards the mandibular canal compared to other positions. The differences were statisticaly significant in some cases. However, the frequency of darkening of the roots (p value < 0.04) was higher in the lingual positions of the third molars than other positions. The agreements of the obervers was acceptable when assessing the images regarding indices of the proximity of third molars’ roots and mandibular canal.

 Then, CBCT technique is a valuable tool to assess the location of the mandibular impacted third molars regarding the inferior alveolar canal. Using CBCT images of impacted third molars, the risk of damage to the alveolar nerve can be reduced.