Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability of 7 panoramic radiographic signs for predicting proximity of the root apices of mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal using cone-beam computed tomography and to correlate these findings with the Pell and Gregory and the Winter classification systems. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 74 patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars. Four panoramic radiographic signs were observed in the tooth root (darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root apices, and bifid apices), and another 3 in the mandibular canal (diversion, narrowing, and interruption of the mandibular canal). Cone-beam computed tomography images were analyzed to identify disruption and diversion of the mandibular canal and root deflection. Results: Binary logistic regression showed that only 4 of the 7 panoramic radiographic signs were able to predict proximity of the root apices of the mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal: darkening of the root, deflection of the root, narrowing of the root, and interruption of the mandibular canal (P<0.05). Conclusion Darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root, in tandem with the interruption of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs, indicate that cone-beam computed tomography should be performed when planning the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Proximity between mandibular third molars and the mandibular canal is correlated with the Winter classification.

Dissection and human specimens study remain the gold standard method for teaching anatomy. Due to the increasing health science courses in Brazil, the traditional way of obtaining bodies for scientific purposes, the unclaimed ones, became insufficient. In addition, this source is no longer ethically appropriate according to anatomists. In order to maintain the teaching quality, the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF) in Brazil, inspired by successful initiatives around the world, created a body donation program; Sempre Vivo. Besides the bureaucratic difficulty faced during its regulation, the implementation of a body donation program requires special attention regarding the religiosity, culture and uniqueness of the city's inhabitants. Informing people can demystify the process, avoid prejudice and increase the number of donors. In this way, an outreach project was designed to publicize Sempre Vivo and raise public awareness. In the first six years, Sempre Vivo reached the mark of 64 registered donors and seven bodies received. The donor’s profile corresponds to female (70.3%), 57 years of age, retired (50.8%), spiritist (53.1%) and with 12 years or more of formal education (90.6%). Considering that the UFJF has not received unclaimed bodies for ten years, the program was considered satisfactory up to this level and, in the future, it may be the exclusive source of anatomical specimens. The description of the creation and the publicizing of Sempre Vivo, the overcome challenges, as well as the donors’ profile, may encourage and facilitate the foundation of similar programs in Brazil and abroad.