title: Coronectomy of the mandibular third molar: Respect for the inferior alveolar nerve.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of coronectomy as an alternative surgical procedure to complete removal of the impacted mandibular third molar in patients with a suspected close relationship between the tooth root(s) and the mandibular canal. A total of 151 patients underwent coronectomy and were followed up with clinical examinations and panoramic radiographs for a minimum of 6 months after surgery. None of the patients exhibited inferior alveolar nerve injury. Eruption of the retained root(s) was more frequent in younger patients (18-35 years). Thirty-six patients (23.8%) exhibited insufficient growth of new bone in the alveolar defect, and 11.3% required a second surgical procedure to remove the root remnant(s). Our results indicate that coronectomy can be a reliable alternative to complete removal of the impacted mandibular third molar in patients exhibiting an increased risk of damage to the inferior alveolar nerve on panoramic radiographs.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: hanneke.kouwenberg@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kouwenberg
authors.affiliation: University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L P P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Stroy
authors.affiliation: University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E D Vree-V D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Rijt
authors.affiliation: Amphia Hospital, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Molengracht 21, 4800 RL Breda, The Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mensink
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; University of Washington, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: GoorisP@amphia.nl.
authors.forename: P J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gooris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000601:surgery*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Coronectomy; Decapitation; Inferior alveolar nerve; Mandibular canal; Third molar; Wisdom tooth