A radiological investigation into the age changes of the inferior dental artery.

An angiographic study of 23 cadavers and 100 patients showed that arterial disease affected the inferior dental artery earlier in life than the rest of the carotid arteries and their branches. Approximately a 15-year difference was noted, the difference being highly significant statistically. The loss of teeth was associated with these changes but statistically the correlation was less significant. The possible reasons for these changes and the surgical implications are discussed.