Rishabh Kapila1, Nana Harada2, Kazuyuki Araki2, Tsukasa Sano2, Tazuko K Goto3. 1. Department of Radiology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: rishabh.kapila@gmail.com. 2. Department of Radiology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Oral Radiology, Oral Diagnosis & Polyclinics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between third-molar juxta-apical radiolucencies and mandibular canals on panoramic and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-two patients were included in this retrospective study. The root apices and the relationships of the juxta-apical radiolucencies to the mandibular canals were evaluated on both panoramic and CBCT images. The McNemar test (P < .05) was used to compare panoramic with CBCT findings. RESULTS: Root apices were visualized clearly with CBCT in most cases for which the apices were not seen clearly on panoramic images. Similarly, juxta-apical radiolucencies were separate from the mandibular canals with CBCT in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that there is no consistent intimate relationship between juxta-apical radiolucencies and the mandibular canals. Similar studies with larger sample sizes are required to further confirm these findings.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between third-molar juxta-apical radiolucencies and mandibular canals on panoramic and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-two patients were included in this retrospective study. The root apices and the relationships of the juxta-apical radiolucencies to the mandibular canals were evaluated on both panoramic and CBCT images. The McNemar test (P < .05) was used to compare panoramic with CBCT findings. RESULTS: Root apices were visualized clearly with CBCT in most cases for which the apices were not seen clearly on panoramic images. Similarly, juxta-apical radiolucencies were separate from the mandibular canals with CBCT in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that there is no consistent intimate relationship between juxta-apical radiolucencies and the mandibular canals. Similar studies with larger sample sizes are required to further confirm these findings.