In vitro correlation of the level of inferior alveolar canal with CBCT imaging.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim was to correlate the level of the inferior alveolar canal on cadaver specimens and as evaluated with three-dimensional radiographic cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. METHODS: Twenty-one skulls with intact mandibles (42 inferior alveolar canals) were imaged with an I-CAT Cone-Beam 3D Imaging System and multi-planar reformatted images obtained were scored to assess the level of the canal (Level I, Level II, and Level III). The mandibles were later dissected and level of the canal was directly visualized, scored, and further correlated with results from CBCT imaging. RESULTS: There was no difference in the level of the inferior alveolar canal between the dissected cadaver specimen and CBCT images. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in the level of the canal among the gender assigned to the specimens and corresponding CBCT images. There were no statistical differences in the level of the canal (cadaver specimen vs. CBCT) between the left and right sides of the specimens, as studied individually. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that there is close correlation of the level of the inferior alveolar canal between cadaver specimens and CBCT images. Well-designed studies would be required to further validate the findings in this study.