Detecting direct inferior alveolar nerve - Third molar contact and canal decorticalization by cone-beam computed tomography to predict postoperative sensory impairment

Bozkurt P., Gorurgoz C.

JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY, vol.121, no.3, pp.259-263, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 121 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jormas.2019.07.004
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.259-263
  • Keywords: Third molar tooth, Nerve injury, Inferior alveolar nerve, Cone-beam computed tomography, Anatomy
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is a severe complication of third molar (M3) surgeries that may interfere with speech, chewing, and social interactions, all of which affect quality of life. Factors such as direct IAN-M3 contact and interruption of the mandibular canal border (decorticalization) diagnosed from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images have been reported as risk factors, although their relation to postoperative sensory impairment is controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between postoperative nerve injury and direct contact between IAN and M3 or canal decorticalization defined with CBCT.