Aim: To assess the radiographic proximity of impacted mandibular third molars to the inferior dental canal(IDC) with its radiographic predictors on digital panoramic radiographs and to evaluate pattern of impacted third molars. Materials & Methods: Preoperative 50 orthopantomograms (OPGs) were examined. The radiographic relationship of the root apex of mandibular third molars and the IDC was assessed and categorized according to the following criteria: adjacent, superimposed, perforation, grooving, notching, or none. The type of impaction, age, and sex of the patient were also noted. Results: The prevalence of adjacent position of IDC with respect to third molar was most common i.e. 60% followed with superimposed (24%). Least common was grooving position (2%). This difference in proportion is statistically significant (p <0.05). Adjacent position was seen more in males (60%) than females (40%). Superimposed was seen more among females (66.7%) as compared to males (33.3%). However there was no significant association between gender and position of IDC (p = .337). The prevalence of vertical pattern of impaction was most common (52%) followed with horizontal (32%) and least common was mesio-angular (16%). This difference was statistically significant (p = .008).Vertical pattern of impaction was prevalent more in male (61.5%) in comparison to female (38.5%). Horizontal pattern was seen more in female (68.8%) than in male (31.3%). However there was no significant association between gender and pattern of impaction (p=0.69). Conclusion: The IDC are mostly bilaterally symmetrical, and the position of the IDC varies with respect to the apices of the roots of the impacted mandibular third molars with the majority being adjacent followed by superimposed. The most common impaction is vertical type. The variation should be appreciated, particularly by the oral surgeon when undertaking surgical removal of the impacted mandibular third molars.