title: Age as a factor in the complication rate after removal of unerupted/impacted third molars at the time of mandibular sagittal split osteotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the effect that the presence of an unerupted third molar has on the mandibular sagittal split osteotomy (SSO).
  
  
  METHODS
  One operator performed 139 SSOs (70 right side and 69 left side) in 70 patients during a period of 6 months. Data related to gender, age, presence or absence of unerupted third molar teeth, split difficulty during SSO, fracture complications of the segment, neurovascular bundle involvement at surgery, removal of unerupted third molar teeth, and the postoperative recovery of nerve function were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SSOs evaluated as technically difficult were significantly more prevalent in mandibles with unerupted third molar teeth. All fractures (4) occurred in the younger age group (<20 years) with unerupted third molars present at the time of surgery. Although inferior alveolar nerve recovery was slower in the patients in whom the unerupted third molar teeth were present at the time of surgery due to increased frequency of neurovascular bundle manipulation, the recovery rates at 1 year were equal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of unerupted third molar teeth increases the degree of difficulty of the SSO. Fracture of proximal and/or distal segments during SSO tend to occur more frequently in the younger age group (<20 years) with an unerupted third molar present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. drjprey@global.co.za
authors.forename: Johan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Reyneke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsakiris
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000209:etiology*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries