Inferior alveolar nerve injury related to mandibular third molar surgery: an unusual case presentation.

Perforation of the lower third molar roots by the inferior alveolar nerve is uncommon and can be difficult to determine by conventional radiographic methods. Presented is a case of perforation that was treated by coronectomy, and showed an unusual complication in that the retained root erupted, moving the canal with it. The radiographic assessment of root perforation and the imaging modalities used to assess such cases are discussed.