Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Impacted Mandibular Third Molars

Cone Beam Computed Tomography is one of the new 3D imaging technologies used to identify the proximity of the inferior alveolar nerve to impacted Mandibular third molar. Although Orthopantomogram has been used for a long period of time, CBCT is still considered as a Gold Standard to plan the surgery and prevent nerve injury during Mandibular third molar surgery

Dr.NareshYedthare Shetty

He is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Implantologist currently working a Associate Professor in College of Dentistry, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE. He has more than 20 years’ experience in academics and working as a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in India, Libya, Malaysia and Is currently residing in UAE. Cone Beam Computed Tomography has always been a field I was interested in, as I was using this technology in Implant and oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures for 3D reconstruction. The use of CBCT for impacted mandibular third molar cases evolved recently especially in cases where the inferior alveolar nerve was close to the root of impacted mandibular third molars. These contents of this book are a part of research study that I did using CBCT, to predict the location of the inferior alveolar nerve to impacted mandibular third molars. I would like to thank my father Dr. Y. Jayaprakash Shetty, my mother Mrs.Sumithra. J. Shetty, my wife Mrs.Surabi Shetty and my daughters Miss. Riddhi Shetty & Miss. Riya Shetty and Prof.Dr.BhagvandasRai and Prof.Sumanth for their guidance and support.

Dr.BhagvandasRai

I am and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with more 30 years of experience. I also have been elected vice president of AOMSI head office and a member Dental Council of India. CBCT plays a vital role in third molar surgeries to prevent nerve damage, especially when the root is very close to the inferior alveolar nerve.

Dr.Sumanth K Nagraj

V In the early years of millennium, unlike today, a simple two-dimensional radiographic view such as a panoramic radiograph was good enough to take up a third molar impaction case. However, since the past decade, it has become a routine practice to seek the cone beam CT imaging in patients referred for impacted third molar removal. With this new technology, there emerged a need to understand the CBCT imaging protocols, image patterns, advantages, need for newer classifications and limitations. As a maxillofacial radiologist, I got involved in this book to evaluate the usefulness of CBCT in different types of third molar impactions and to explain the issues related the 3D imaging in such cases. This is a humble effort of us to make novice readers understand the basic issues related to CBCT imaging of impacted third molars and share the results of the research study of Dr.NareshYedthare Shetty.