To determine the differences in the distance between tooth apices and vital anatomical structures using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Research measuring the distance from the dental apex to vital structures with CBCT remains limited, as most existing studies rely on panoramic radiography and have generally been conducted in populations outside Indonesia. An analytical observational approach with a cross-sectional design was employed to evaluate differences in the distance between tooth apices and the alveolar crest in relation to adjacent vital structures. Interobserver reliability testing demonstrated almost perfect agreement, with kappa coefficient values ranging from 0.823 to 0.862. Independent t-tests were performed to assess differences in apex-to-vital structure distances based on sex. Significant differences were found only in measurements involving the mental foramen and the mandibular canal. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate apex-to-structure distances across age groups, revealing no statistically significant differences among age categories. The findings indicate that female patients tend to have tooth apices located closer to the mental foramen and mandibular canal compared with male patients. However, no significant differences in apex-to-vital structure distances were observed across different age groups. Therefore, dental treatments involving these vital structures may require procedural modifications in female patients to minimize the risk of postoperative complications.
Oleh :
Jackson Dipankara
