Visibility of the mandibular canal through different
imaging exams: comparative study between panoramic
radiograph and cone beam computed tomography
Gabriela Queiroz Silva de Souza
Túlio Baptistella Faleiro Sandoval
Ana Caroline Ribeiro de Brito
Hugo Gaêta Araújo
Christiano de Oliveira-Santos
Abstract
Introduction and aims: Although three-dimensional imaging presents
numerous advantages for diagnosis and treatment planning in Dentistry, the
detection of the mandibular canal (MC), an important requirement for implant
planning in the posterior mandible, may remain as a difficult task in some cases.
The aim of this study was to assess the visibility of the MC on panoramic
radiographs (PR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: a
sample of 216 hemimandibles (from 108 patients who had both PR and CBCT
taken for third molar extraction or implant planning) was assessed by two observers
who rated the visibility of the MC in four different regions of the hemimandibles
using specific criteria. Mandibular regions and modalities of examination (i.e. PR
and CBCT) were compared. Results and Discussion: The visibility of MC in PR
was higher in the most posterior region, with progressive reduction of visibility in
more anterior regions. A significant difference between the regions was observed,
except between regions 1 and 2. For CBCT images, all regions showed significant
differences in the MC visibility. PR and CBCT showed a statistically significant
difference for the regions 1 and 2. However, in regions 3 and 4 the difference
between the examinations was not significant. For regions 1, 2 and 3 the visibility
presented a correlation between PR and CBCT. Conclusions: Visibility of the MC
is higher in its posterior half, both on PR and CBCT. The anterior half of the MC
has a higher visibility on CBCT, compared to PR. There is a positive correlation
between MC visibility in CBCT and PR, except in the most posterior quarter of the
mandible, where visibility is higher for both exams.