Assessment of Relationship of Mandibular Third Molar Root to Inferior Alveolar Nerve Canal Using Photostimulable Phosphor Plate

The extraction of impacted mandibular third molars has long been associated with the dreaded and rarely, grave and irreversible complications. The oral and maxillofacial surgeons’ dogma strongly links most complications with the proximity of inferior alveolar canal and the impacted teeth, the relationship of which is still a topic of debate among surgeons. In this randomized, prospective case study, involving 114 patients, we have attempted to evaluate the relationship between impacted mandibular third molar root and the inferior alveolar canal with intra oral periapical radiographs using photo stimulable phosphor plates and the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve injury following removal of impacted mandibular third molar. Preoperative assessment based on Rood and Shehab Criteria revealed 38.6% cases with an interruption of white line, 25.4% had darkening of root and 11.4% cases with diversion of the canal and 7% of cases revealed an inferior alveolar nerve deficit corresponding with the radiographic signs of “darkening of the third molar root” and “interruption of white line” by the third molar root. In comparison with the other imaging modalities Photo Stimulable Phosphor plate consumes less time with higher image resolution and magnification to gain better knowledge of the inferior alveolar canal and root relationship