Evaluación de la Relación Entre el Tercer Molar Mandibular y el Nervio Alveolar Inferior y Sus Factores Asociados en Radiografías Panorámicas de Pacientes Atendidos en el Centro Radiológico Insideimagen, Cuenca-Ecuador en el Periodo Enero 2023 – Enero 2024

Abstract

Radiographic evaluation of impacted mandibular third molars is essential to estimate their relationship with the mandibular canal and to prevent neurosensory complications, especially inferior alveolar nerve injury. This study aimed to determine such relationship through radiographic predictor signs on panoramic radiographs from the Insideimagen radiology center, Cuenca–Ecuador, from January 2023 to January 2024. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and documentary study was conducted on 295 panoramic radiographs including 526 mandibular molars, from patients aged 17–51 years. Age, sex, third molar position (Winter and Pell & Gregory), and predictor signs (root darkening, root narrowing, root deviation, canal narrowing, and interruption of the white line) were recorded. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were applied (p<0.05). Mean age was 29.93 ± 8.88 years; patients ≤30 years (55.9%) and females (51%) predominated. The most frequent molar angulation was vertical (44.9%) and mesioangular (39.4%), while Pell - Gregory Class II (57.4%) and Position C (43%) were the most common. The most frequent sign was interruption of the white line (158 cases), significantly associated with what was described by Winter and Pell - Gregory classifications. Age was associated with root darkening, narrowing, and deviation (p<0.05), whereas no association was found with sex. In conclusion, panoramic radiography allowed identification of proximity predictor signs, with interruption of the white line as the main finding.