Anatomical relation of third molars and the retromolar canal

Catalina Moreno Rabie*, Myrthel Vranckx*, M. I. Rusque*, C. Deambrosi*, Anna Ockerman*, Constantinus Politis*, Reinhilde Jacobs*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

The study was designed to assess, by direct anatomical observations and cone-beam computed tomography (CT), the prevalence of a retromolar canal and foramen in relation to the mandibular third molar in dry human mandibles. Dry mandibles from European skeletons (n = 89) were observed directly and after cone-beam CT scanning (Newtom VGI evo). The following variables were assessed: the presence of a retromolar foramen and canal; the presence of a third molar, and orientation of the third molar. From the total of 89 mandibles selected, 73 showed a retromolar foramen (49 of which were bilateral). A retromolar canal was identified in 64 mandibles based on cone-beam CT assessment, with a total of 101 canals, including 74 that were bilateral. A total of 112 hemimandibles contained a third molar. Orientation of the third molar did not seem to indicate the presence of retromolar foramina or canals. A similar prevalence of retromolar canals was found for both vertically (41/79) and mesially (17/33) orientated third molars. A retromolar foramen and canal were present in most mandibles, with more than half being bilateral. We were unable to confirm a potential relation between the retromolar foramen and canal on the one hand, and the orientation of the third molar on the other.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)765-770
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume57
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

© 2019 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Keywords

  • Cone-beam CT
  • retromolar canal
  • retromolar foramen
  • third molar
  • wisdom tooth

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