Relationships between third-molar juxta-apical radiolucencies and mandibular canals in panoramic and cone beam computed tomography images.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between third-molar juxta-apical radiolucencies and mandibular canals on panoramic and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Study Design: Forty-two patients were included in this retrospective study. The root apices and the relationships of the juxta-apical radiolucencies to the mandibular canals were evaluated on both panoramic and CBCT images. The McNemar test (P < .05) was used to compare panoramic with CBCT findings.

Results: Root apices were visualized clearly with CBCT in most cases for which the apices were not seen clearly on panoramic images. Similarly, juxta-apical radiolucencies were separate from the mandibular canals with CBCT in most cases.

Conclusions: The present study found that there is no consistent intimate relationship between juxta-apical radiolucencies and the mandibular canals. Similar studies with larger sample sizes are required to further confirm these findings.