Novel strategy to predict high risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury during extraction of lower third molar based on assessment of computed tomography images of multiple anatomical features

Abstract Objective Preoperative assessment is essential to prevent inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury during surgical extraction of the lower third molar (LM3). Here, we aimed to establish an assessment system to predict IAN injury during surgical extraction of the LM3. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 115 patients diagnosed as “high-risk” based on our previous risk assessment method involving three anatomic features of the inferior alveolar canal using computed tomography (CT) images. We evaluated the occurrence of neurosensory impairment in these high-risk patients, and its association with novel anatomic features based on CT images. Results Neurosensory impairments were observed in 19 patients (16.5%). The inferior alveolar canal major diameter (p Conclusions Preoperative risk assessment with quantitative factors based on anatomical features observed on CT images may facilitate more appropriate surgical planning for patients at a high risk of IAN injury.