Aspectos imaginológicos de contato e posição das raízes do terceiro molar incluso com o canal mandibular

Abstract

The mandibular canal is located within the body and branch of the mandibular bone. Radiographically, this bone structure presents as a radiolucent line with thin and radiopaque borders surrounding it. The objective of this study was to identify the imaging findings of Panoramic Radiography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography, used as predictors in the analysis of the contact relationship and position of the roots of the third molar included with the mandibular canal, by means of a literature review. In addition, we analyzed the prevalence and occurrence of variations of the different types of mandibular canals described in the literature. This work has 29 articles and 3 case reports selected from the PUBMED database, which were published between 2013 and 2020.Furthermore, relevant articles on the subject from the 1990, 2004, 2006 and 2012 were included. Among the two imaging methods, the most reliable is Cone Beam Computed Tomography. However, Panoramic Radiography may present characteristic signs of contact between canal and tooth, the most common being canal deviation and interruption of the radiopaque line of the mandibular canal. Thus, when the exam presents such predictors, a Cone Beam Computed Tomography should be performed to confirm the intimate relationship between mandibular canal and the third lower molar included. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]