Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences

en Anatomical Correlation Between Mandibular Third Molar Position and Retromolar Nerve Variations: A CBCT Study Radiology Radiology Original article Original article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background and Aim: Variations in the retromolar canal (RMC) and retromolar nerve can cause complications. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the anatomical position of mandibular third molars and variations of the retromolar nerve using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.    Materials and Methods: A descriptive analytical study was conducted on CBCT images of the mandible from 126 individuals (82 females, 44 males) over the age of 25 years. The impaction status of the mandibular third molars was classified using Pell and Gregory's classification, while angulation was determined according to Winter's classification. The presence of the retromolar nerve, its buccal or lingual position relative to the mandibular third molar, and the distance between the RMC and mandibular third molar were evaluated.    Results: The retromolar nerve was present in 53 cases (42.1%). It was positioned buccally in 36 cases (28.6%) and lingually in 17 cases (13.5%) relative to the mandibular third molar. The mean distance between the RMC and the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the mandibular third molar was 5.41 mm. A significant relationship was found between the third molar impaction status and presence and position of the retromolar nerve (P=0.002). Conclusion: The retromolar nerve was more frequently present in non-impacted mandibular third molars. In presence of semi-impacted third molars, the nerve was significantly more likely to be positioned buccally. These findings highlight the importance of preoperative CBCT imaging to identify anatomical variations, aiding in surgical planning and reducing the risk of neurological complications during mandibular third molar extractions.  </div> ,Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Mandible, Nerve, Molar, Third 159 167 http://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1849-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahdis Tahmasebi mahdis_tah@yahoo.com 100319475328460014847 100319475328460014847 No Dentist, Private Practice, Tehran. Sanaz Heidarkhan Tehrani sanazhtehrani@gmail.com 100319475328460014848 100319475328460014848 No Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, TeMS.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Fatemeh Mehmani fatiii72mehmani@gmail.com 100319475328460014849 100319475328460014849 Yes Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, TeMS.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Hassan Mesgari h.mesgari@iautmu.ac.ir 100319475328460014850 100319475328460014850 No Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, TeMS.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Amirreza Mehdizadeh mehdizadeh.cna88@yahoo.com 100319475328460014851 100319475328460014851 No Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, TeMS.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.