Radiological assessment of the inferior alveolar canal and mental foramen using cone beam computed tomography for pre-operative evaluation of surgeries in the mandible: A single-center five-year retrospective study.

Introduction: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) plays a significant role in studying the anatomical structures of the mandible. Aim: This retrospective study aimed to assess the role of CBCT at the pre-assessment stage of mandibular surgery. Materials and methods: A total of 250 CBCT images were collected. The inferior alveolar canal (IAC) and mental foramen (MF) were measured bilaterally to the mandibular teeth apexes, including molars, premolars, and canines, to the buccal, lingual cortical bone, and to the inferior border of the mandible. Results: There were no differences in the average number of extracted teeth between the right and left sides (P-value > 0.05, median = three teeth). It was noticed that the average measures of each point of the IAC and MF on the right side were closely matched to the similar point on the left side (P-value > 0.05). T-tests showed that there were differences between males and females on the M2 and M3 on the right side (P-value < 0.05) and on the M1, M2, and M3 on the left side (P-value < 0.05). Using one-way ANOVA tests, results showed that there were some differences in measures at P0 (F = 3.376, P-value = 0.003), P4 (F = 3.782, P-value = 0.001) on the right side, and at P3 (F = 5.620, P-value = 0.019) on the left side of the mandible. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in IAC and MF positions between the right and left sides. However, between males and females, MF measurements showed significant differences on some points on the right and left sides. Although the history of extracted teeth showed no statistically significant difference in the location of IAC and MF, the number of extracted teeth showed an effect in the IAC position on the right and left sides, but not with the MF.

Tooth autotransplantation in a diabetic patient with 2-year follow-up.

Tooth autotransplantation is the movement of a tooth from its socket into another socket within the same patient. This case report discusses the viability of tooth autotransplantation in a patient with diabetes mellitus. A 23-year-old woman presented with the chief complaint of pain from a carious mandibular right second molar, which was deemed nonrestorable. Autotransplantation of a viable third molar was therefore suggested as the treatment of choice. Six months after surgery, the patient was recalled for reevaluation of the reimplanted tooth. Pulpal sensitivity was assessed, revealing a normal pulpal response. The patient reported no pain or symptoms of infection. At the 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, clinical examinations confirmed that the transplanted tooth was vital, and the patient was able to chew food normally without experiencing pain on the mandibular right side. Dental autotransplantation may be considered a conservative approach to replacing a missing tooth, especially for young patients with growing jaws or patients with limited financial means who cannot afford other treatment options.