Juxta-apical radiolucency: Relation with the mandibular canal and cortical plates based on cone beam CT imaging

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology
• Main Authors: Leandro Nascimento, Eduarda Helena, DDS, Costa Oenning, Anne Corolina, DDS, MS, PhD, Nadaes, Mariana da Rocha, DDS, MS, Bovi Ambrosano, Gláucia Maria, MS, PhD, Haiter-Neto, Francisco, DDS, MS, PhD, de Freitas, Deborah Queiroz, DDS, MS, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Surgery; Mandibular Nerve; Third; Molar; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
• ISSN: 2212-4403
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2016.12.001

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the relation of juxta-apical radiolucencies (JAR) to the mandibular canal and cortical plates on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, as well as to assess whether the presence of JAR is related to the position of the mandibular canal. Study Design Forty-seven JAR cases were evaluated through CBCT. JAR position and its relationship to the mandibular canal and cortical plates were investigated. The position of the mandibular canal was recorded and compared to a control group. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were performed. Results A significant association was established between JAR and the position of the mandibular canal (p=0.0193), which was positioned lingually in 59.6% of JAR cases. In most cases, JAR was located distally to the tooth (66%) and in contact with the mandibular canal, either with (53.2%) or without (40.4%) preservation of the cortical border of the canal. In 22 cases (46.8%), thinning of cortical plates was observed, but no statistical differences were found between buccal and lingual sides (p=0.5728). Conclusions The mandibular canal is located lingually in the third molar region in most JAR cases. JAR is located distal to the tooth and generally in contact with the mandibular canal. These relations may increase the risk of nerve injury during surgical removal of third molars.