# Investigating the Proximity of the Lower Alveolar Canal to the Apex of Premolar and Molar Teeth in the Mandible Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Tabriz, Iran: -

## TL;DR

This study uses CBCT scans to measure the distance between the inferior alveolar canal and the roots of mandibular teeth in Iran, finding gender differences but no age effects.

## Contribution

The study provides new empirical data on anatomical distances in the mandible using CBCT in a specific Iranian population.

## Key findings

- First premolars in males had the greatest mean distance (5.7 mm) to the IAC.
- Third molars in females had the shortest mean distance (2.91 mm) to the IAC.
- Gender differences were significant, but age had no significant impact on distances.

## Abstract

Knowing the anatomical link between the IAN and surrounding structures is
vital
before endodontic operations to avoid injuring the IAN. Examining the
relationship between
the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) and the apices of mandibular premolars and
molars using cone
beam computed tomography (CBCT) is the primary objective of this work.

Two hundred and twenty patients, ranging in age from sixteen to
seventy-seven, who
visited the University of Tabriz’s Faculty of Dentistry had their CBCT
images examined in this
retrospective cohort study. Mandibular fractures, pathologies, or bone
syndromes were not considered, as were teeth with diseases impacting canal
contact. Additionally, poorly defined IAN
pictures were not included. The shortest distance between the root apex and
the upper border
of the interosseous capsule was determined by taking measurements using
cross-sections that
were 0.3 mm thick.

Analysis of 220 CBCT images revealed a gender distribution of
56.8% female and 43.2% male patients, with age groups of 49 years (32.3%).
The greatest mean
distance between the teeth and the IAC was observed in the first premolar in
males (5.7 mm),
while the shortest was in the third molar in females (2.91 mm). Distances
from mandibular
molars and premolars to the IAC showed significant differences: second and
first molars had
smaller distal than mesial distances (P0.05), and second premolars had
greater distances on the
right side (P0.001). Males exhibited greater distances than females for
molars and premolars
(P0.05), but age had no significant impact (P0.05).

Mandibular premolars maintain the most significant distance, while the third
molar is closest to the IAC. Gender differences
are significant, while age does not impact these measurements.