Does additional information provided by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and a consequent modification of surgical technique reduce the possibility of inferior alveolar nerve injury? A pilot study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve injury after lower third molar extraction between two groups who had undergone differing preoperative diagnostic radiological assessments MATERIAL AND METHODS: A pilot study was conducted comparing potential surgical complications between two groups before surgical removal of lower impacted third molars. The patients (n=93) were divided into two groups: panoramic x-ray and Cone-beam computed tomography group (n = 38) and the panoramic x-ray group (n = 55). Post-operative complications in each group were recorded a week after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association between the incidence of nerve injury and other variables. RESULTS: The inferior alveolar nerve was exposed during the procedure in only six patients (6.45%) and thirteen patients (13.98%) had transient paraesthesia a week post-surgical extraction. In twelve patients (92.30%) sensation fully recovered within the first month after the procedure with one patient (1,08%) having paraesthesia after six months post-extraction CONCLUSIONS: Additional information gathered from Cone-beam computed tomography and precautionary measures taken during surgery did not reduce the incidence of IAN injury