Study On The Relationship Of The Inferior Alveolar Nerve Position Between Buccal And Lingual Side Using Ct And Orthpantomogram

ABSTRACT

When bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy or mandibular angle reduction are carried out, we have to consider the position of inferior alveolar nerve. For bone splitting or resection using a saw or an osteotome, the bucco-lingual position of the inferior alveolar nerve plays an important role in the preventing perioperative complications such as paresthesia or anesthesia. Because it is rare to find literatures concerning the mean anatomic position of the inferior alveolar nerve in Koreans, we investigated 30 patients who underwent to take CT and orthopantomogram for implant surgery, and evaluated the bucco-lingual position and vertical relationship of the inferior alveolar nerve at the mandible. The results showed that the distance between inferior alveolar nerve and buccal plate was the farthest at mandibular second molar (7.1~7.4mm) and the nearest at mandibular angle area (4.4~4.8mm). But it was no statistical relationship between the bucco-lingual postion of inferior alveolar nerve on the CT and its vertical position on the OPT. In conclusion, the results suggest that a careful surgical procedure is needed at the mandibular angle area to avoid a nerve damage and there are sufficient bone materials at the mandibular second molar are for bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy or mandibular angle reduction or plate fixation. And OPT is not usefull for the evaluation of a relative bucco-lingual position of inferior alveolar nerve in relation to its vertical postion on the OPT.