Len Tolstunov, DDS: No financial relationships to disclose
Inferior alveolar nerve injury is one of the common complications of M3 extractions. This session will discuss dynamic proximity of two structures (IA nerve and M3 roots) in the process of jaw development and interpretation of this proximity at the time of wisdom teeth consultation. This discussion will be based on the old (panoramic) and new (CBCT) radiographic technology and clinical factors. Risk of injury and its predictor variables will be discussed. A "formula" or risk injury prevention algorithm will be proposed that can help a surgeon-clinician to be guided into the "safe" mode by removing teeth with less risk of IAN injury and using alternative treatment options for the M3rd with a higher risk. Multiple case presentations will be used to highlight the risk factors and treatment options.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Define the Rood's risk factors and understand their role in the IAN injury.
Identify CBCT factors that play a role in assessing the risk of IAN after extraction of M3rds.
Demonstrate the primary and secondary predictor variables of IAN injury as a combination of clinical and radiographic data.
Utilize the author's "formula" as a risk assessment algorithm to stratify cases into low, intermediate and high risk.
Describe the alternative safe modes of treatment for dealing with high-risk M3rds.