Long-term morbidities of coronectomy on lower third molar.
OBJECTIVE
To monitor the long-term morbidity of retained roots up to 5 years following lower third molars coronectomy with close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN).


METHODS
A prospective study on long-term morbidities after lower third molar coronectomy.


RESULTS
This study included 612 lower third molar coronectomies in 458 patients. The prevalence of IAN injury was 0.16% (1/612) and was temporary. Long-term postoperative infection occurred in 1 case at 6 months following surgery and another at 12 months. No infection was found after 12 months. The incidence rates of pain at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months after surgery were 0.50% (3/596), 0.38% (2/529), 0.49% (2/411), respectively. Root exposure was noted in 2.3% of cases (14/612). Reoperation to remove the exposed root did not cause any IAN deficit.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower third molar coronectomy is safe in the long term.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: Mleung04@hku.hk.
Yiu Yan
YY
Leung
Honorary Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Lim Kwong
LK
Cheung
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012086:Reoperation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000601:surgery*; D014085:Tooth Migration / Q000453:epidemiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology