OBJECTIVE: To decrease the incidence of inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle injury through location of mandibular canal by 3-dimensional (3-D) CT. METHODS: 30 female cases with prominent mandibular angle underwent 3-D CT before operation. The 3-D images were used to measure the distances between upper points of lower teeth to the inferior border of the canal. Then the osteotomy was designed according to the canal position to avoid the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle injury. The canal protection was observed intraoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mandibular canal was protected very well in all 30 cases without any injury to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-D CT can accurately locate the mandibular canal to guide the design of the mandibular angle osteotomy for patients with prominent mandibular angle.
OBJECTIVE: To decrease the incidence of inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle injury through location of mandibular canal by 3-dimensional (3-D) CT. METHODS: 30 female cases with prominent mandibular angle underwent 3-D CT before operation. The 3-D images were used to measure the distances between upper points of lower teeth to the inferior border of the canal. Then the osteotomy was designed according to the canal position to avoid the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle injury. The canal protection was observed intraoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mandibular canal was protected very well in all 30 cases without any injury to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-D CT can accurately locate the mandibular canal to guide the design of the mandibular angle osteotomy for patients with prominent mandibular angle.