Study of the mandibular canal through the diaphanization technique: a possibility for the development of didactic material

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study is to produce didactic material so that the student of the Dentistry Course can understand the topographic relationship of the mandible canal with the alveolar process and the roots of the permanent teeth in a diaphanized model, right at the beginning of the course. Material and Methods: The diaphanization technique was applied to a dry human jaw, with all teeth, except the lower first molars, from the Anatomy Laboratory at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR). Bone decalcification was followed by dehydration, clarification and fixation steps. Subsequently, the bone was analyzed by direct observation of the specimen. Results: The observation of the mandibular canal was possible only up to the mental foramen region. The ramus suffered much more acid action than the body, given the result of the clarification observed. When comparing the right and left sides, it was observed that on the right side the bone was a little more calcified, revealing less transparency. The characterization of the places where there is compact bone and spongy bone was very evident in the ramus of the mandible. Conclusions: The technique of diaphanization applied to the human jaw still requires improvement, however, it allowed the production of didactic material that allows the direct visualization of the mandible canal.