title: A preferable technique for protecting the inferior alveolar nerve: coronectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of coronectomy for teeth whose root apices are very close to the inferior alveolar canal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 43 patients of this study needed removal of their lower third molar, whose root apices were very close to the inferior alveolar canal. These patients underwent 47 coronectomies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 9.3 months (range, 1 to 48 months). The mean total amount of root movement was 3.4 mm at 6 months, 3.8 mm at 12 months, and 4.0 mm at 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique of coronectomy is defined as removing the crown of a tooth but leaving the roots untouched, so that the possibility of nerve damage is reduced. Coronectomy is a preferable technique for patients who run a risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve during third molar surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dogan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dolanmaz
authors.forename: Gulsun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Kubilay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Isik
authors.forename: Korhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kucuk
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozturk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000601:surgery*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries; D055815:Young Adult