Are different imaging methods affecting the treatment decision of extractions of mandibular third molars?

Objectives: To find the differences between treatment decisions of lower impacted third molars among experts of oral and maxillofacial surgery according to panoramic radiographic and CBCT findings. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 62 panoramic radiographs and CBCT of lower third molars evaluated for treatment decisions by 9 independent experts of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Results: Differences in interpretation of the panoramic radiography were found between surgeons. The absence of radiological signs suspected for risk to the inferior alveolar nerve lead to the decision of extraction according to panoramic radiography without CBCT (p < 0.01). The presence of those signs lead to referral to CBCT by surgeons before treatment but did not change their decision. Conclusions: Treatment decision for surgical treatment of the lower third molar can be accepted without CBCT findings. The use of CBCT is popular before extraction of lower third molars. We found that it has a little effect on the treatment decision of the surgical intervention in comparison to panoramic radiography.