ABSTRACT
Patients with impacted third molars are common in dentistry. Impacted third molar removal procedure is common along with the high prevalence of impacted mandibular third molar. Panoramic radiographs can be used to evaluate the preoperative condition to anticipate surgical complications such as angle fracture, bleeding, and IAN injury. This study aims to determine the distance between the impacted mandibular third molar against the mandibular angle and canal using a panoramic radiograph. A total of 67 panoramic radiographs were collected from the Radiology Unit of RSGM-P FKG USAKTI between September 2022 to November 2022 and evaluated by two observers. The distance between the impacted third molar against the mandibular angle and canal was recorded. The mean distance of the impacted mandibular third molar to the mandibular angle at the left side for ages 20–29 years, 30–39 years, and 40–49 years was 22.51 mm, 26.12 mm, and 22.62 mm, respectively, whereas for the right side, it was 22.75 mm, 25.25 mm, and 24.33 mm, respectively. The mean distance of the mandibular third molar to the mandibular canal on the left side was 1.13 mm, 2.30 mm, and 1.53 mm, respectively for ages 20–29 years, 30–39 years, and 40–49 years, whereas, for the right side, the distance was 0.25 mm, 1.75 mm, and 2.01 mm, respectively. Pearson's Correlation showed no significant difference in the proximity of the impacted mandibular third molar to the mandibular angle (left side, p = 0.206, right side, p = 0.141) and the mandibular canal (left side, p = 0.368 and right side, p = 0.052) based on age group. Statistically significant differences were found in comparing the distance between the impacted mandibular third molar against the mandibular angle and canal for each side of the jaw (p<0.001).
