Imaginologia da íntima relação entre os terceiros molares inferiores impactados e o canal mandibular.

Abstract

Due to the possibility of surgical complications, it is extremely important the imaging evaluation in face of the extraction of the third lower molars. This research aimed to evaluate the intimate relationship between impacted lower third molars and the mandibular canal. The universe was constituted by 432 Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and 713 panoramic radiographs. It was obtained a sample of 13 pairs of exams (panoramic radiography and CBTC), totalizing 20 dental elements from patients assisted at a private radiology unit in the city of Patos – PB. Two different evaluators carried out analysis in two distinct moments. The panoramic radiographs were analyzed according to Winter, Félez-Gutierrez and Koong classifications. The CBTC was considered the gold standard for the evaluation. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics of the lease, dispersion, absolute and relative frequencies percentage by using Microsoft Excel 2013 program. According to the Winter classification, the most frequent position of the lower third molars was Mesio-Angular, the most prevalent radiographic signs were narrowed channel and islet-shaped apex on the Félez-Gutiérrez classification, and on the Koong classification there were even numbers of narrowed channel and superimposed apex. On the CT scans, the most frequent relationship was the channel passing inferiorly to the third molars. On the comparison of the radiographic signs with the gold standard, it was found 45% of false positives. It can be concluded that the CBTC is the best choice for the surgical plan, on the cases where there is intimate contact between the lower third molars and the mandibular canal.