• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2022

Controversies exist regarding the need for prophylactic extraction of mandibular third molars in patients who plan to undergo orthognathic surgery. An 18-year-old male patient was diagnosed with mandibular prognathism and maxillary retrognathism with mild facial asymmetry. He had a severely damaged mandibular first molar and a horizontally impacted third molar. After extraction of the first molar, the second molar was protracted into the first molar space, and the third molar erupted into the posterior line of occlusion. The orthognathic surgery involved clockwise rotation of the maxillomandibular complex as well as angle shaving and chin border trimming. Patients who are missing or have damaged mandibular molars should be monitored for eruption of third molars to replace the missing posterior tooth regardless of the timing of orthognathic surgery.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.376-381
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between third molar (M3) and mandibular fracture. Methods: Patients with unilateral mandibular angle or condyle fractures between 2008 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Medical records were reviewed regarding the location of fractures, and panoramic radiographs were reviewed to discern the presence and position of ipsilateral mandibular third molars (M3). We measured the bony area of the mandibular angle (area A) and the bony area occupied by the M3 (area B) to calculate the true mandibular angle bony area ratio (area A-B/area A×100). Results: The study consisted of 129 patients, of which 60 (46.5%) had angle fractures and 69 (53.5%) had condyle fractures. The risk of angle fracture was higher in the presence of M3 (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; p< 0.05) and the risk of condyle fracture was lower in the presence of M3 (OR, 0.45; p< 0.05), than in the absence of M3. The risk of angle fracture was higher in the presence of an impacted M3 (OR, 0.3; p< 0.001) and the risk of condyle fracture was lower in the presence of an impacted M3 (OR, 3.32; p< 0.001), than in the presence of a fully erupted M3. True mandibular angle bony area ratio was significantly lower in the angle fractures than in the condyle fractures (p= 0.003). Conclusion: Angle fractures had significantly lower true mandibular angle bony area ratios than condyle fractures. True mandibular angle bony area ratio, a simple and inexpensive method, could be an option to predict the mandibular fracture patterns.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.326-328
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• 2022

Impacted mandibular third molar removal is the most common procedure performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. An array of alternative procedures have been suggested, like operculectomy in cases of pericoronitis and coronectomy in certain cases. However, these procedures pose several disadvantages, and we propose a relatively non-invasive 'straight lift technique'. This technique is specifically useful in straightening abnormally positioned mesioangular third molars as a substitute of complete removal. This can improve tooth function, eliminate the need for surgical intervention, and reduce the risk of complications associated with third molar removal.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.505-511
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• 2011

Purpose: This study evaluated correlation and risk factors between position of the mandibular third molars and mandibular angle fractures using clinical and radiographic findings. Methods: Medical records and panoramic radiographs of 188 patients with mandibular fractures were retrospectively reviewed. The presence and position of the third molars were assessed for each patient and were related to the occurrence of mandibular angle fractures. Results: The incidence of mandibular angle fracture was found to be greater when a lower third molar was present, particularly at the occlusal plane positioned on the $2^{nd}$ molar occlusal surface (by Archer system) and the third molar is impacted in mandibular ramus (by Pell & Gregory system). Of the 192 sites with a lower third molar, 32 (16%) had an angle fracture. Of the 184 site without lower third molars, 16 (8%) had an angle fracture. Conclusion: This study confirmed an increased risk of angle fractures in the presence of a lower third molar as well as variable risk for angle fracture, depending on positioning of the third molar.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-167
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the position of the mandibular canal in relation to the mandibular third molar by cone beam CT in cases showing a close relationship between the third molar and the mandibular canal on the panoramic radiograph. Materials and Methods : The panoramic images and cone beam CT scans of 87 impacted mandibular third molars in 60 patients were evaluated to assess the tooth relationship to the mandibular canal. The clearness of the canal wall and the vertical depth of the lower third molar were evaluated on panoramic radiographs. The lower third molars were assessed using cone beam CT to determine the proximity and position of the canal relative to the roots. Results : In the 66 cases where the canal wall was unclear on the panoramic radiographs, 58 (87.9%) of the third molars had contact between the canal and root; 34 (51.5%) canals were showed an inferior position and 22 (33.3%) showed a linguoinferior position on cone beam CT. Conclusion : Interruption of the canal wall on panoramic radiographs was highly predictive of contact between the mandibular canal and the third molar. Cross sectional CT may be indicated for localization of the mandibular canal in such cases.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2020

Background: This study aimed to compare the pain levels during anesthesia and the efficacy of the QuickSleeper intraosseous (IO) injection system and conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) in impacted mandibular third molar surgery. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial included 30 patients (16 women, 14 men) with bilateral symmetrical impacted mandibular third molars. Thirty subjects randomly received either the IO injection or conventional IANB at two successive appointments. A split-mouth design was used in which each patient underwent treatment of a tooth with one of the techniques and treatment of the homologous contralateral tooth with the other technique. The subjects received 1.8 mL of 2% articaine. Subjects' demographic data, pain levels during anesthesia induction, tooth extractions, and mouth opening on postoperative first, third, and seventh days were recorded. Pain assessment ratings were recorded using the 100-mm visual analog scale. The latency and duration of the anesthetic effect, complications, and operation duration were also analyzed in this study. The duration of anesthetic effect was considered using an electric pulp test and by probing the soft tissue with an explorer. Results: Thirty patients aged between 18 and 47 years (mean age, 25 years) were included in this study. The IO injection was significantly less painful with lesser soft tissue numbness and quicker onset of anesthesia and lingual mucosa anesthesia with single needle penetration than conventional IANB. Moreover, 19 out of 30 patients (63%) preferred transcortical anesthesia. Mouth opening on postoperative first day was significantly better with intraosseous injection than with conventional IANB (P = 0.013). Conclusion: The IO anesthetic system is a good alternative to IANB for extraction of the third molar with less pain during anesthesia induction and sufficient depth of anesthesia for the surgical procedure.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the anatomic circle around the impacted lower third molar to show, document, and correlate essential findings that should be included in the routine radiographic assessment protocol as clinically meaningful factors in overall case evaluation and treatment planning. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomographic images of impacted lower third molars were selected according to specific inclusion criteria. Impacted teeth were classified according to their position before assessment. The adjacent second molars were assessed for distal caries, distal bone loss, and root resorption. The fourth finding was the presence of a retromolar canal distal to the impaction. Communication with the dentist responsible for each case was done to determine whether these findings were detected or undetected by them before communication. Results: Statistically significant correlations were found between impaction position, distal bone loss, and detected distal caries associated with the adjacent second molar. The greatest percentage of undetected findings was found in the evaluation of distal bone status, followed by missed detection of the retromolar canal. Conclusion: The radiographic assessment protocol for impacted third molars should consider a step-by-step evaluation for second molars, and clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of second molar affection in horizontal and mesioangular impactions. They also should search for the retromolar canal due to its associated clinical considerations.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implication of third molars in postoperative complications of mandibular angle fracture with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Materials and Methods: Data were collected on patients who presented with mandibular angle fracture at our Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between January 2011 and December 2015. Of the 63 total patients who underwent ORIF and perioperative intermaxillary fixation (IMF) with an arch bar, 49 patients were identified as having third molars in the fracture line and were followed up with until plate removal. The complications of postoperative infection, postoperative nerve injury, bone healing, and changes in occlusion and temporomandibular joint were evaluated and analyzed using statistical methods. Results: In total, 49 patients had third molars in the fracture line and underwent ORIF surgery and perioperative IMF with an arch bar. The third molar in the fracture line was retained during ORIF in 39 patients. Several patients complained of nerve injury, temporomandibular disorder (TMD), change of occlusion, and postoperative infection around the retained third molar. The third molars were removed during ORIF surgery in 10 patients. Some of these patients complained of nerve injury, but no other complications, such as TMD, change in occlusion, or postoperative infection, were observed. There was no delayed union or nonunion in either of the groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the non-extraction group and the retained teeth group regarding complications after ORIF. Conclusion: If the third molar is partially impacted or completely nonfunctional, likely to be involved in pathologic conditions later in life, or possible to remove with the plate simultaneously, extraction of the third molar in the fracture line should be considered during ORIF surgery of the mandible angle fracture.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.4 no.1 s.6
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• pp.13-16
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• 2004

Background: Articaine, a new amide-type local anesthetic, was recently commercially available in Korea. The purpose of this study was to compare the anesthetic efficacy between articaine HCl and lidocaine HCl for the surgical extraction of bilateral mandibular impacted third molars. Patients and Methods: Forty young and healthy patients with bilateral impacted third molars were selected with permission. Randomly, one side of impacted third molar was operated under local anesthesia using 4% articaine and the other side under 2% lidocaine after 1 or 2 week recovery time. Intraoperative pain was evaluated via 0-10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) by both the patient and operator immediately after the operation. After 1 day and 7 days, the complications of local anesthesia were checked. Results: The pain VAS scores in articaine group, evaluated by both the patient and operator, were lower than those in lidocaine group, but they were not statistically significant (P = 0.44 and 0.54, respectively). The incidence of complications of local anesthesia between articaine and lidocaine was similar. Conclusion: In this study, articaine showed at least equal efficacy compared to lidocaine. The further dose-controlled study with more pharmacokinetic parameters will be needed.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the patient's pain and quality of life after suture removal at either 3 or 7 days following the bilateral surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in 30 patients, who acted as their own control. Each patient required the bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars to be extracted. The impacted teeth were removed and the wound margins were approximated and sutured with black braided silk. The suture material was removed on day 3 on one side and on day 7 on the other. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire after the removal of the suture material on each designated day. Results: Regarding overall clinical symptoms, the mean VAS scores of male and female participants on day 3 were not significantly different from those on day 7. A significant difference was found in female participants, in that overall daily activity was better on day 7. There were significant differences in the ability to smile and laugh in both sexes and the ability to chew in the male participants was better on day 7. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the patient's pain and quality of life between suture removal on day 3 or on day 7 following surgery to remove impacted lower third molars.