Panoramic radiographic risk factors for inferior alveolar nerve injury after third molar extraction

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

Radiographic markers were associated with subsequent injury.

Main

Blaeser BF, August M et al. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003; 61: 417–421

In a case-control study, dental panoramic tomograms were compared for 8 patients who had experienced inferior alveolar nerve injury after mandibular third molar extraction, and 17 who had extraction but no injury. Injury or its absence was confirmed by neurosensory examination in all cases. Five surgeons evaluated radiographs for all 50 teeth.

In relation to subsequent nerve injury, diversion of the canal had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 82%; darkening of the root, 65% and 73%; interruption of cortical line, 80% and 54%; and any of these findings, 100% and 33%.

The authors compare their findings with other studies, and conclude that the absence of any predictive signs mean the risk of nerve injury is negligible, but in the presence of any sign, additional assessment may be indicated.