Is endodontic treatment necessary during coronectomy procedure?
OBJECTIVE
Close proximity of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) to the third molar roots can result in nerve injuries during extraction of third molars. Consequently, it is necessary to determine the relationship of the nerve and roots to avoid damage to the IAN. Computed tomography scans are widely used to determine the correct relationship between the IAN and lower third molars.


METHODS
The study consisted of 10 patients with 16 lower third molars in close relationship with the IAN who were divided into a study group and a control group. The patients in the study group were treated via coronectomies performed with endodontic treatments. The patients in the control group underwent coronectomies without endodontic treatment. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year.


RESULTS
We had to extract 7 of the roots because of the infection in 8 patients belonging to the study group, which were treated endodontically. Moreover, there were 3 cases of IAN damage because of the extraction in the study group. However, in the control group, no infection was determined and IAN damage was absent.


CONCLUSIONS
Coronectomy appears to be a reliable technique to protect the IAN from damage. This procedure has a low incidence of complications. Endodontic treatment does not affect the success of this method according to our results.
Sencimen
Metin
M
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, GATA Dişhekimliği Bilimleri Merkezi, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. metinsencimen@yahoo.com
Ortakoglu
Kerim
K
Aydin
Cumhur
C
Aydintug
Yavuz S
YS
Ozyigit
Aykut
A
Ozen
Tuncer
T
Gunaydin
Yilmaz
Y
D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000601:surgery*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000502:physiology; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries; D055815:Young Adult