Comparison of panoramic radiography and computed tomography for the detection of altered sensation of inferior alveolar nerve after implantation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the panoramic radiography and computed tomography (CT) for the detection of altered sensation of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) invasion after implantation.The sample was composed of 132 implants of 109 patients who showed altered sensation after implantation on the posterior mandible area, from 2004 to 2012. The patients took computed tomography scans after taking clinical examinations and panoramic radiography in Yonsei university dental hospital. Based on the radiographic data, the dimensional relation between cortical wall above IAN and the implant fixture was evaluated in 4 different categories. There was no definite correlation between the distance between cortical wall above IAN and the apex of implant and visual analogue scale(VAS). Evaluating the invasion of IAN canal using panoramic radiography has a tendency of under-evaluation than using CT. 83% of patients diagnosed ''unclear'' or ''away from IAN'' in panoramic radiograph showed nerve damage in CT In conclusion, panoramic radiography is an insufficient method for predicting altered sensation of IAN after implant surgery. In patients who cannot be evaluated with panoramic radiography alone, other clinical examination data and CT taking are essential.