DESCRIPTION OF THE APEX MORPHOLOGY OF IMPACTED THIRD MOLARS WITH MANDIBULAR CANAL INVOLVEMENT USING PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHY

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of panoramic radiography as the main diagnostic tool in Indonesia, is not equipped with adequate standard and preclinical capacity of dental students. Objective: To determine the shape and position of the apex of impacted third molars with mandibular canal involvement. Method: Cross Sectional Descriptive design. The research sample was selected through Purposive Sampling technique and obtained 287 teeth from 147 Orthopantomogram (OPG) patients. Data processing used descriptive analysis method with SPSS software. Results: The Interuption of the white line with the highest prevalence (n = 111, 42%), followed by dark and bifid root (n = 64, 24%), narrowing of the mandibular canal (n = 37, 14%), and diversion of the mandibular canal (n = 28, 11%). These four categories cover 91% of the total findings. Other categories, namely darkening of the root, deflection roots, and narrowing of the roots were reported with a percentage of less than 10%. Differences in prevalence of dark and bifid roots, darkening of the root, and deflection roots were influenced by patient age, genetics, and OPG identification techniques. Conclusion: Changes in apex morphology were seen from signs of  darkening of the root, narrowing of the roots, deflection roots, and dark and bifid roots. Meanwhile, the position of the apex to the mandibular canal was indicated by the The Interuption of the white line, narrowing of the mandibular canal, and diversion of the mandibular canal.

Keywords: Mandibular canal, Panoramic radiography, Radiological signs, Rood and Shehab classification