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Author Spotlight: Insights into an Efficient Murine Maxillary Orthodontic Model Protocol
Published on: October 27, 2023
Proximity of the Mandibular Canal to Teeth and Cortical Bone
Yusuke Kawashima1, Osamu Sakai2, Dhurata Shosho3
1Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
Introduction:
The proximity of the inferior alveolar canal to the mandibular molar roots may pose a risk of injury during various dental surgeries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate age-related and gender-related changes by using cone-beam computed tomography images between the roots of the second molars, mandibular cortex, and the inferior alveolar canal.
Methods:
One hundred fifty-five patients (68 men, 87 women), 20 years and older, who had previous cone-beam computed tomography scans were enrolled in this study. The patients were subcategorized by gender and age (group I, <21 years; group II, 21-40 years; and group III, >40 years). Distance between the mandibular canal (MC) and the second molar distal root apex as well as the 3 mandibular cortical regions (inferior cortex, buccal cortex, and lingual cortex) were measured.
Results:
In men, the second molar root apex to the MC distance was significantly shorter in group I than in group III (P < .01). In women, the second molar root apex to the MC distance was significantly shorter in group I than in group II and group III (P < .05). In both men and women, the buccal cortex of the mandible to the MC distance was significantly shorter on the right side compared with the left side (P < .01).
Conclusions:
Our study shows that age, gender, and region have an influence on the location of the MC in the second molar area.
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