Title: The Relationship of Mandibular Third Molars with Inferior Alveolar Nerve Based on Orthopantomogram
Abstract: <i>Introduction</i>: A tooth that is unable to erupt completely due to some physiological barrier is called impaction. The extraction of the impacted mandibular 3<sup>rd</sup> molar is the most frequent procedure in oral surgery. The removal of 3<sup>rd</sup> molar is associated with complications like damage to the inferior alveolar nerve which causes paresthesia of the lower lip depending upon the severity of the damage. <i>Objectives</i>: This study assesses the diagnostic efficacy of orthopantomograph in predicting the association between mandibular third molar roots and inferior alveolar canal and its juxtaposition with intra-operative surgical findings. <i>Material and methods</i>: This cross-sectional research was conducted in the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, requiring extraction of mandibular third molars surgically. Patients underwent extraction under local anesthesia. The association between M3 and IAC by comparing OPG findings with intra-operative surgical findings was assessed by chi-square analysis. <i>Results</i>: One hundred and twenty patients requiring mandibular third molar extraction were included in the study. The age of the patients involved in the study ranged from 21-70 years. There were 5 cases of nerve injury in the age group of 31-40 and 1 case in each age group of 21-30 and 41-50. Conclusion: The chances of nerve damage also increase significantly when there is more than one radiographic sign present and the tooth is deeply placed in the mandible nearest to the IAN.