Assessment and comparison of the radiographic distance of mandibular first and second molars’ apexes from the inferior alveolar nerve canal on panoramic and CBCT views

Background. Due to its vulnerability to injury during procedures involving the mandible, such as dental implant surgery and molar extraction, the inferior alveolar nerve canal of the mandible is clinically very significant. This necessitates anatomical investigations based on imaging technologies. The radiographic distance between the inferior alveolar nerve canal and the apexes of the mandibular first and second molars on panoramic and CBCT images was measured and compared in this study.

Methods. One hundred mandibular first and second molars (with bilateral mesial and distal roots) were selected in 44 patients for this cross-sectional descriptive examination of patient records from the Tabriz School of Dentistry's archives , on panoramic and CBCT images taken simultaneously. In both images, the distances of the apexes of the lower 1^st  and 2^nd  molars from the inferior alveolar nerve canal were measured. The images were reviewed by an observer (a maxillofacial radiologist). The data was analyzed by SPSS 20 using the t-test.

Results. CBCT and panoramic images of 100 teeth (38% first molar and 62% second molar) of both mesial and distal roots on the right and left sides of 44 patients were examined. On CBCT and panoramic pictures, there were no discernible variations between the mesial and distal mandibular first and second molar apexes on the left and right sides from the inferior alveolar canal.

Conclusion. There was no significant difference between CBCT and panoramic images in delineating the distance between the lower 1^st  and 2^nd  molars’ apexes and the inferior alveolar nerve canal.