Abstract

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON MANDIBULAR NERVE TO ROOTS OF 3RD MOLARS, VICINITY OF MENTAL FORAMEN AND PREVALENCE OF ANTERIOR LOOPING USING CBCT IN URBAN POPULATION – A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Saraswathi Gopal K.*, Sangavi R. and V. Poongodi

ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine the anatomical position of the impacted third molars in relation with the mandibular canal and the location of mental foramen and to assess the presence and length of the anterior loop in the mental foramen region. Materials and Method: All the data were retrieved from the department oral medicine and radiology archives during May 2019- July 2019. All types of impacted third molars included in this study, good resolution CBCT images were included in the study, for mental foramen the distances from the superior border of mental foramen to the inferior border of mandible and from the anterior border of mental foramen to the midline will be calculated. CBCT images obtained for all the patients using planmeca ProMax 3d mid proface unit. The obtained data will be statistically evaluated further. Conclusion: CBCT imaging is an effective diagnostic imaging technology in head and neck that produces accurate resolution images of diagnostic quality. Hence CBCT evaluation is essential in the relationship of mandibular impacted 3rd molars to the mandibular canal, location of mental foramen and anterior looping during minor surgical procedures.

Keywords: Mandible, Third molar, Mental foramen, Inferior alveolar canal, Anterior looping, CBCT.