RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOWER THIRD MOLAR AND MANDIBULAR CANAL: IMAGING ASPECTS
SANDRA A. MARINHO *
Department of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campus VIII, Araruna, PB, Brazil.
LARISSA RANGEL PEIXOTO
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campus I, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
ANDRÉA CRISTINA BARBOSA DA SILVA
Department of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campus VIII, Araruna, PB, Brazil.
DANIELA PITA DE MELO
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campus I, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
PATRÍCIA MEIRA BENTO
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Campus I, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The removal of mandibular third molars can offer some complications such as injury to the inferior alveolar nerve, when these teeth make intimate relation with the mandibular canal. Therefore, a correct imaging diagnosis is necessary. The panoramic radiography continues to be one of the most requested exams by surgeons because of its low cost and ease of access; it also provides an overview of maxillofacial structures. On the other hand, the cone beam computed tomography provides three-dimensional images, facilitating the surgical planning. The purpose of this study was to carry out a brief review of the literature related to imaging aspects of the relationship between mandibular third molar and mandibular canal.
Keywords: Third molar, panoramic radiography, cone beam computed tomography