• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.933-948
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomic structures of the mandible-inferior alveolar canal, mental foramen, mental canal-with panoramic radiography and conventional tomography and to compare both radiographic techniques in conjunction with endosseous implants. In this study 14 adult dentulous mandibles -27 cases of right and left side of mandibles- were examined and the results were as follows. 1. The distance between superior border of the inferior alveolar canal and the alveolar ridge crest showed a decreasing tendency from the mental foramen to 4cm posterior to the mental foramen. 2. The mean diameter of the inferior alveolar canal was $4.11{\pm}0.50mm$ with panoramic radiography and $3.29{\pm}0.59mm$ with conventional tomography. 3. The inferior border of the inferior alveolar canal and inferior border of the mandible was closest at 2cm posterior to the mental foramen but it was not statistically significant. the mean distance was $1l.64{\pm}2.95mm$ in panoramic radiography and $1l.68{\pm} 2.91mm$ in conventional tomography. 4. The inferior alveolar canal located lingually in bucco-lingual direction 16%(mental foramen), 54%(lcm posterior to the mental foramen), 68%(2cm posterior to the mental foramen), 50%(3cm posterior to mental foramen), 55%(4cm posterior to the mental foramen). 5. Mean length of the anterior loop of the mental canal was 2.73mm, and the loop below 2mm was 35% and 15% of mental canal was invisible in panoramic radiography. 6. The minimum interforaminal distance was 56.7mm, the maximum distance was 73.2mm and the mean distance was 66.42mm in panoramic radiography. 7. The mean distance between midpoint of the mental canal and alveolar ridge crest was 16.24mm and the mean buccolingual angulation of the mental canal was $52.98^{\circ}$ in conventional tomography. 8. In comparison of panoramic radiography and conventional tomography, inferior alveolar canal is better visualized with conventional tomography than panoramic radiography from the mental foramen to the 2cm posterior to the mental foramen, while visiblity of conventional tomography prominently decreased in 4cm posterior to the mental foramen and alveolar ridge crest is better visualized with panoramic radiography than conventional radiography at the mental foramen and at 4cm posterior to the mental foramen. In radiologic examination of anatomic structures of the mandible for endosseous implants, panoramic radiography and conventional tomography can be effectively used when it is used to overcome the anatomic limitations.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2019

Purpose: This study reviewed the common conditions associated with displacement of inferior alveolar nerve canal. Materials and Methods: General search engines and specialized databases including Google Scholar, Pub Med, Pub Med Central, Science Direct, and Scopus were used to find relevant studies by using keywords such as "mandibular canal", "alveolar canal", "inferior alveolar nerve canal", "inferior dental canal", "inferior mandibular canal" and "displacement". Results: About 120 articles were found, of which approximately 70 were broadly relevant to the topic. We ultimately included 37 articles that were closely related to the topic of interest. When the data were compiled, the following 8 lesions were found to have a relationship with displacement of mandibular canal: radicular/residual cysts, dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, ameloblastoma, central giant cell granuloma, fibrous dysplasis, and cementossifying fibroma. Conclusion: When clinicians encounter a lesion associated with displaced mandibular canal, they should first consider these entities in the differential diagnosis. This review would help dentists make more accurate diagnoses and develop better treatment plans according to patients' radiographs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the location of the inferior alveolar canal in male and female Egyptians. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study involved the evaluation of 210 CBCT scans of Egyptian individuals (18-70 years old). The inferior alveolar canal was localized by measuring 8 linear dimensions: 2 for the vertical localization of the mental foramen (superior and inferior to the mental foramen), 4 at the first molar bifurcation for the vertical and horizontal localization of the inferior alveolar canal (superior, inferior, buccal, and lingual to the inferior alveolar canal), and 2 for the horizontal localization of the mandibular foramen (anterior and posterior to the mandibular foramen). The measurements were statistically analyzed via comparative analysis, stepwise logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Six of the 8 measured distances differed to a statistically significant extent between the sexes. Regression analysis suggested a logistic function with a concordance index of 84%. The diagnostic accuracy capabilities of the linear measurements as sex predictors were calculated using ROC analysis, and the 6 best predictors for sex determination were selected and ranked from highest to lowest predictive power. Moreover, combining these 6 predictors increased the predictive power to 84%. Conclusion: The location of the inferior alveolar canal in the Egyptian population varies significantly by sex; accordingly, this anatomic landmark could be used as a reliable indicator of sexual dimorphism.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.4-11
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• 2010

Purpose: This study aimed at examining the thickness of lateral cortical bone in the mandibular posterior body and the location of the inferior alveolar nerve canal as well as investigating the clinically viable bone grafting site(s) and proper thickness of the bone grafts. Subjects and Methods: The study enrolled a total of 49 patients who visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital to have their lower third molar extracted and received cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations. Their CBCT data were used for the study. The thickness of lateral cortical bone and the location of inferior alveolar nerve canal were each measured from the buccal midpoint of the patients' lower first molar to the mandibular ramus area in the occlusal plane of the molar area. Results: Except in the external oblique ridge and alveolar ridge, all measured areas exhibited the greatest cortical bone thickness near the lower second molar area and the smallest cortical bone thickness in the retromolar area. The inferior alveolar nerve canal was found to be located in the innermost site near the lower second molar area compared to other areas. In addition, the greatest thickness of the trabecular bone was found between the inferior alveolar nerve canal and the lateral cortical bone. Conclusions: In actual clinical settings involving bone harvesting in the posterior mandibular body, clinicians are advised to avoid locating the osteotomy line in the retromolar area to help protect the inferior alveolar nerve canal from damage. Harvesting the bone near the lower second molar area is judged to be the proper way of securing cortical bone with the greatest thickness.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.386-393
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate course of the inferior alveolar canal in the mandibular ramus and to find safety zone when ramal bone is harvested. Patients and Methods: From January, 2009 to February, 2009, the 20 patients who visited in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sanbon Dental Hospital. Wonkwang University and the Conebeam CT was taken of various chief complaints, were selected. The patients who had left and right mandibular first molar and incisor missing, jaw fracture and bone pathology were excluded. The R point was defined as the point which occlusal plane was crossed to the mandibular anterior ramus(external oblique ridge). In the cross-sectional coronal and axial views, the inferior alveolar canal position to the R point, buccal bone width(BW), alveolar crest distance(ACD), distance from alveolar crest to occlusal plane(COD) and inferior alveolar canal to sagittal plane(CS) were measured and horizontal distance(HD), vertical distance(VD) and nearest distance(ND) were measured. Results: The inferior alveolar canal is located $6.19{\pm}1.21\;mm$ from the R point. Horizontal distance from the R point were $13.07{\pm}2.45\;mm$, vertical distance from the R point were $14.24{\pm}2.41\;mm$ and nearest distance from the R point were $10.12{\pm}1.76\;mm$. The course of the inferior alveolar canal was positioned within $0.61{\pm}0.68\;mm$. The distance from external buccal bone to the inferior alveolar canal was increased from the R point anteriorly. Conclusions: It is considered that the mandibular ramus from the R point to 10 mm anteriorly can be harvested safely at ramal bone grafting.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.464-473
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate relationship between the inferior alveolar nerve injury and the findings of panoramic and tomographic images for preventing inferior alveolar nerve injury after the 3rd molar extraction. Material and Method: From April, 2005 to June, 2005, The 190 patients who visited in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacia Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital and the panoramic radiographies were taken for extraction of the mandibular third molar, was selected. Among 215 mandibular third molars, Scanora tomographic imagings were taken in the 90 teeth which were overlaped to the mandibular canal in the panoramic imagies. In panoramic radiographies, the angulation, the level, the root morphology, and the superimposition sign of the mandibular third molars with the mandibular canal were evaluated. In the tomographic radiographies, the location and distance of the mandibular third molar from the canal were also evaluated. The relationships between these findings and the inferior alveolar nerve injury were examined. Results: In the panoramic findings, the inferior alveolar nerve injuries were occurred in the darkened roots (5 molars, 7%), the uncontinuous radiopaque image (3 molars, 7%), and the depositioned mandibular canal (2 molars, 10%). In the tomographic findings of 90 molars, 20 molars also had the superimposition imagies. Five molars in those molars (25%) had the inferior alveolar nerve injury after extraction. There were 10 patients who had the inferior alveolar nerve injury. The sensory was began to be recovered in 9 patients, except 1 patient, within 2 weeks, then fully recovered within 3 months. Conclusion: These results indicate that the depth mandibular third molar and the superimposition sign may be related with the risk of the inferior alveolar nerve injury after extraction.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.874-879
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• 2016

Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) is a relatively infrequent complication in endodontic treatment. However, endodontic overfilling involving the mandibular canal may cause an injury of the inferior alveolar nerve resulting in sensory disturbances such as pain, dysesthesia, paresthesia or anesthesia. Two mechanism(chemical neurotoxicity and mechanical compression) are responsible for the IAN injury. When absorbent materials overfilled, it can be treated as a non-surgical procedure. But early surgical intervention required when mechanical, chemical nerve damage expected. We report surgical removal of overfilled gutta-percha and IAN decompression through sagittal split osteotomy in case of dysesthesia after overfilling of endodontic material into the mandibular canal. Dysesthesia recovered 3 months after surgical treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the occurrence, location, and dimensions of the intraosseous vascular canal in the lateral wall of the maxillary antrum using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined 400 CBCT scans from our archive of patients who had earlier reported to a dental teaching hospital in the United Arab Emirates. The prevalence, location, and dimensions of the lateral antral intraosseous canal (LAIC) in the maxillary antrum were evaluated by 2 examiners using standardised methods. A third examiner was consulted in cases of disagreement. Results: The prevalence of LAIC was 62.3% (249 maxillary antra) among the study population. The mean distance between the most inferior point of the alveolar bone and the inferior border of the LAIC in the posterior maxillary region was 19.83±3.12 mm. There was a significant difference (P=0.05) between the maxillary molar and premolar regions in mean distance from the most inferior point of the alveolar bone and the inferior border of the LAIC. There was no statistically significant difference in mean distance between the most inferior point of the alveolar bone and the inferior border of the LAIC between dentulous and edentulous areas (P=0.1). The G3-intrasinusal type canal less than 1mm in diameter was the most common type of LAIC. Conclusion: This study established the approximate location of the LAIC in a United Arab Emirates cohort, which will assist the oral surgeon in selecting the appropriate site for sinus lift procedures with reduced risk of surgical hemorrhage.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2016

During clinical endodontic treatment, we often find radiopaque filling material beyond the root apex. Accidental extrusion of calcium hydroxide could cause the injury of inferior alveolar nerve, such as paresthesia or continuous inflammatory response. This case report presents the extrusion of calcium hydroxide and treatment procedures including surgical intervention. A 48 yr old female patient experienced Calcipex II extrusion in to the inferior alveolar canal on left mandibular area during endodontic treatment. After completion of endodontic treatment on left mandibular first molar, surgical intervention was planned under general anesthesia. After cortical bone osteotomy and debridement, neuroma resection and neurorrhaphy was performed, and prognosis was observed. But no improvement in sensory nerve was seen following surgical intervention after 20 mon. A clinician should be aware of extrusion of intracanal medicaments and the possibility of damage on inferior alveolar canal. Injectable type of calcium hydroxide should be applied with care for preventing nerve injury. The alternative delivery method such as lentulo spiral was suggested on the posterior mandibular molar.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the common conditions associated with mandibular canal widening. Materials and Methods: General search engines and specialized databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, and Scopus were used to find relevant studies by using the following keywords: "mandibular canal," "alveolar canal," "inferior alveolar nerve canal," "inferior dental canal," "inferior mandibular canal," "widening," "enlargement," "distension," "expansion," and "dilation." Results: In total, 130 articles were found, of which 80 were broadly relevant to the topic. We ultimately included 38 articles that were closely related to the topic of interest. When the data were compiled, the following 7 lesions were found to have a relationship with mandibular canal widening: non-Hodgkin lymphoma, osteosarcoma, schwannoma, neurofibroma, vascular malformation/hemangioma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, and perineural spreading or invasion. Conclusion: When clinicians encounter a lesion associated with mandibular canal widening, they should immediately consider these entities in the differential diagnosis. Doing so will help dentists make more accurate diagnoses and develop better treatment plans based on patients' radiographs.