The Position of the Third Molar and Its Proximity to the Mandibular Canal in a Dry Mandible: A Case Report

The third molar has the most diverse root position among all teeth. One of the inherent risks of extracting this tooth in the mandible is damage to the inferior alveolar nerve. Due to the difference in the placement angle and the depth of the impacted teeth, the possibility of damage to the inferior alveolar nerve is more in some patients. Considering the different variations in the position of the teeth, the aim of this study was to report and describe the position of the third molar and its proximity to the mandibular canal in a dry mandible.

Case report:

 At the time of evaluation of the mandibles in the Anatomy Museum, an unusual case involving the horizontal position of the left third molar was observed. The length of the tooth from the apex of the cusps to the end of the root was 21 mm and the thickness of the upper part of the tooth was 9 mm. Also, the distance between the root of the tooth and the tip of the Lingula was 19 mm. Based on the data obtained from the radiographic image, the distance between the tooth root and the mandibular canal was 2 mm.

Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the third molar will be useful in surgeries related to this area and to prevent damage to the inferior alveolar nerve. Furthermore, this report is important since the position of this tooth and the proximity of its root to the mandibular canal have not been documented on the bone sample so far.