Correlation of Pericoronal Radiolucency Around Impacted Mandibular Third Molars Using CBCT with Histopathological Diagnosis: A Prospective Study

Purpose: This study aimed to correlate the pericoronal width surrounding impacted mandibular third molars with their histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: The present study included patients who were advised for extraction of impacted mandibular third molars with the pericoronal radiolucency radiographically. The CBCT scans were compared with histopathologic findings of the follicles. Results: Out of 70 patients evaluated histopathologically, 24 patients showed mild inflammatory changes, whereas 34 patients revealed cystic changes suggestive of a dentigerous cyst, followed by 12 patients showing evidence of calcifications in the pericoronal follicles. The dentigerous cyst was more likely to occur if the bucco-lingual width of the pericoronal radiolucency was 14.00-16.00mm, and calcifications were found to be most likely present if the buccolingual width was 12.00-14.00mm, both of which were statistically significant. Conclusion: CBCT can be a reliable tool in the evaluation of pericoronal follicular space, and the values in different dimensions can be an accurate predictor radiologically for the diagnosis of pathologies when compared to 2D imaging.