Visibility of Mandibular Canal on CBCT Cross-Sectional Images in Comparison with Panoramic Radiograph (Retrospective Study)
Author(s): Resha Jameel*, Areej Ahmed Najm and Firas Abdulameer Farhan
Abstract
Detection of mandibular canal (MC) is an important requirement for different surgical procedures such as implant placement, surgical removal of pathological lesion and even to tooth extraction. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) represents an advance imaging technology, but distinguishing the MC from surrounding structures may persists a difficult matter. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the visibility of MC in different regions on CBCT cross-sectional images and compare with OPG images. Materials and methods: in this retrospective study 400 hemi mandible (100 males and 100 females) were examined by CBCT cross section and compared to digital panoramic images. the images were evaluated and the mandibular canal visibility was assessed in four region (second premolar, first molar, second molar and distal to second molar) and classified into clear and unclear score .then the collected data analyzed to assess the statistical significant differences between regions, gender and imaging technique. Results: visibility of mandibular canal was better by CBCT as compared to OPG with high statistical significant difference. Visibility of MC by CBCT was higher in premolar region (65%) and decreased posteriorly while by OPG the higher percentage was in third molar region (73%). There were no significant differences in MC visibility between males and females. Conclusion: CBCT is the best imaging technique that provides 3D visualization of mandibular canal. So it represents a mandatory pre surgical step especially with posterior mandibular region.