Reliability of cone beam computed tomography in locating and measuring the mandibular canal for planning of surgical techniques in the mandibular body

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of cone beam computed tomography to locate and take measurements of the mandibular canal, as well as the vestibular bone wall, in the planning of the bone graft surgery in the mandibular body.

Material and methods

A total of 11 mandibles from fresh cadavers were studied (22 hemi-mandibles, half of them with teeth). A CBTC and a surgical procedure for the lateralization of the lower dental nerve were performed with the aim of measuring the thickness of the vestibular table and the mandibular canal (MC) or lower dental nerve at 5, 15, and 25 mm from the most posterior position of the mentonian hole.

Results

The results obtained in the study indicate that CBTC, being the best diagnostic tool currently available, still appears to be unreliable when compared to actual results. This discrepancy is a mean of 1.15 mm as regards the thickness of the vestibular bone wall that covers the MC, and a mean of 0.3 mm in relation to the thickness of the lower dental nerve.

Discussion

It is important to know and assess these discrepancies in view of the multitude of surgical procedures that can be performed in this area, and in the vicinity of the lower dental nerve.