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Background and Aim: Dentists should be aware of the position and anatomical path of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC). The aim of this study was to investigate the position and anatomical path of the IAC on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 150 CBCT images. The distance of the IAC from the buccal and lingual cortex in the alignment of teeth 4 to 7 and the emerging pattern of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) from the mental foramen were assessed. Using SPSS version 22 software, the role of age, gender, and side of the jaw in the investigated parameters were evaluated by Pearson correlation, independent and paired samples t test, and chi-square test. Results: The most frequent emerging pattern of the IAN was "sharp turn with 90° angle" (44.7%). The average distance of the IAC from the buccal cortex of the mandible, unlike the lingual cortex, increased in the alignment of teeth 4 to 7 in both genders (P0.05). Conclusion: Although the distance of the IAC from cortex was not related to age, it was greater in the men than women. Considering the variations in the IAC path and the IAN emerging patterns, CBCT radiography is suggested in doubtful cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There is a risk of damage to the inferior alveolar nerve when extracting third molars. A variety of common imaging modalities, such as panoramic radiography (PR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), are recommended for examination prior to mandibular third molar surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the findings of panoramic radiography and CBCT in evaluating the relation between the root of the mandibular third molar and the inferior alveolar canal. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 75 panoramic and CBCT images were evaluated. Cases in panoramic radiography that were suspected of the relation between the root of the mandibular third molars and the inferior alveolar canal were collected. To determine the type of connection of apex and root canal, the samples were divided into 6 groups: normal, inferior alveolar canal path loss, canal path narrowing, sudden canal path change, radiolucent band over the roots, and root curvature. Cases in the panoramic radiograph that were suspected of root contact with the canal were examined by the CBCT in terms of the position of the canal relative to the tooth (buccal or lingual or middle of the root - upper or lower) and the type of connection (whether the tooth is connected to the canal). FINDINGS: In panoramic findings, 23 cases (30.7%) were normal, 19 cases (25.3%) showed canal path loss, 9 cases (12%) canal path narrowing, 5 cases (6.7%) sudden canal path change, 3 cases (4%) radiolucent band over the roots and 16 cases (21.3%) showed root curvature. According to CBCT findings, the position of the canal relative to the root apex was lingual in 39 cases (52%) and there was connection between the mandibular canal and the third molar in 39 cases (78.7%). There was no significant relationship between panoramic radiographic and CBCT findings and only in two cases of specific radiolucent band over the roots, there was a complete agreement between panoramic and CBCT findings. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, if a radiolucent band is observed on the root of the mandibular molars or a sudden change is observed in the canal path, panoramic radiography can be used to detect the relation between the inferior alveolar canal and the root of the third molars.

Background and Objective: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has made considerable improvements in maxillofacial imaging. Estimating canal location is one of its applications. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether differences in patient gender or age are predictive of differences in the relative location of the inferior alveolar canal. Subjects and Methods: Existing CBCT images، acquired by the Promax 3D (Planmeca Finland)، taken from the maxillofacial region from 120 dentate patients (46.7% male،53.3% female ، mean age 42.1%)( who visited a private clinic in Ahvaz were selected and processed by Romexis viewer software. Sixteen measurements (in mm) were taken at the level of the IAN and mesial and distal root apices. Anatomic measurements were made by 2 observers. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and t-test. Results: The distance from the most lingual aspect of the root to the lingual cortical plate 3 mm coronal to the apex، were less in females in mesial and distal roots of second molar ( P<0.05). None of the other variables were associated with sex or age. Conclusions: Collectively، these data indicate that relative positions of IAN changes are not dependent on gender or age. Application of CBCT imaging in presurgical planning is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]