• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 1981

The author analyzed the morphological pattern of mandibles and lower third molars in order to study and predict the impaction of the developmental third molars. The subjects consisted of 37 males and 87 females with malocclusion. The following results were obtained: 1. The mandible was shown to be shorter in the impacted third molar group than in the erupted group, both in over-all length and in body length. 2. The developmental mesial angulation of the third molar to the mandibular plane was higher in the impacted third molar group. 3. There was a tendency for impacted third molars to be slightly larger than those which erupted except Class II malocclusion in female. 4. In the available space for the eruption of the third molar, significant space deficiency was found in association with the impacted third molar group compared with the erupted group.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.135-137
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• 2011

Impaction of third molar is a common developmental abnormality. However, ectopic impaction of the mandibular third molar in condylar region is an extremely rare condition. This report describes a case of impacted tooth in the mandibular condyle without any associated pathologic condition. Also, this report presents the spatial relationship of the impacted mandibular third molar to the surrounding anatomic structures using cone beam computed tomography.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2010

Introduction: Surgical extraction of third molar is one of the most frequently performed procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery unit as the impacted wisdom teeth could cause various complications. Even though, however, extraction of the impacted wisdom teeth is an obligation for the reason of possible complication even for general practitioners, it has been avoided. Various factors concerning surgical extraction of impacted third molar are considered: general condition of patients, relationship with relative anatomies, aspects of impaction, surgeon's skill. Materials and Methods: The consideration and crossing analysis of these factors with 2,463 patients who visit Dankook University dental hospital to extract those impacted third molar. Results: 1. Gender doesn't affect. 2. Medical problems have more complications. 3. There are more complications in high difficulty index (DI) impacted teeth. 4. When inferior alveolar canal overlap mandibular third molar, complication rate is 26.92%. 5. The most common complication was swelling and pain. 6. There is no statistical difference between the incidence of complication and surgeon's experience. Conclusion: In regard to these results, it seems that clinical or radiological examination can predict potential complications of wisdom teeth, and it is helpful to bear in mind the fact.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of missing and impacted third molars in people aged 25 years and above. Materials and Methods: The study sample of 3,799 patients was chosen randomly from patients who visited Pusan National University Dental Hospital and had panoramic radiographs taken. The data collected included presence and impaction state, angulation, and depth of impaction of third molars, and radiographically detected lesions of third molars and adjacent second molars. Results: A greater percentage of men than women retained at least one third molar. The incidence of third molars decreased with increasing age. The incidence of partially impacted third molars greatly declined after the age of 30. Vertically impacted maxillary third molars and horizontally impacted mandibular third molars were most frequent in all age groups. Among the maxillary third molars, those impacted below the cervical line of the second molar were most frequent in all age groups, and among the mandibular third molars, deeply impacted third molars were most frequent in those aged over 40. Dental caries was the most common radiographic lesion of the third molars. Mesioangularly impacted third molars showed radiographic lesions in 13 (9.5%) adjacent maxillary second molars and 117 (27.4%) mandibular second molars. Conclusion: The number of remaining third molars decreased and the percentage of Class C depth increased with age. Caries was the most frequent lesion in third molars. Partially impacted mesioangular third molars showed a high incidence of caries or periodontal bone loss of the adjacent second molar. Regular oral examination will be essential to keep asymptomatic third molars in good health.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.18 no.1 s.25
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• pp.79-88
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors which might be related to mandibular third molar eruption and to predict the possibility of whether or not it will be erupted. The material of this study was lateral cephalometric radiograms, pantomograms and dental casts obtained from 70 patients (19 males, 51 females) ranging in age from 18.0 to 32.1 years. They were devided into erupted group and impacted group of mandibular third molars. For the comparison of each group, a total of 20 measurement items were employed and the data were analyzed by means of computer statistical method. As a result of this study, the following conclusion can be made; 1. The longer mandibular body length and narrower mandibular ramus width, the higher eruption tendency of the lower third molar, but the degree of genial angle was not related to mandibular third molar eruption. 2. The lower percentage of posterior mandibular body height to anterior mandibular body height, the higher eruption tendency of the lower third molar. 3. The total tooth size, including the lower second molar, appeared to be larger in the impacted group than in the erupted group of the lower third molar. 4. The arch length discrepancy of the impacted group was more severe in contrast with the erupted group of the lower third molar.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.343-348
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• 2011

Introduction: Third molar extraction is one of the most common procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The impacted third molar causes many pathological conditions, such as pericoronitis, caries, periodontitis, resorption of adjacent teeth, and cyst or tumors associated with impacted teeth. Extraction is often considered the treatment of choice for impacted lower third molars. On the other hand, imprudent extraction of deeply impacted third molars can cause permanent complications, such as inferior alveolar nerve damage. Therefore, guidelines for the extraction of lower third molars should be set to prevent embarrassing complications. This study examined the indication and current trends of the extracted lower third molars in the dental hospital of a dental college. Materials and Methods: 557 extracted third molars were evaluated at the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of Yonsei University. The chief complaint, diagnosis, age and degree of impaction were analyzed to determine the tendency for the extraction of asymptomatic lower third molars. Results: The percentage of asymptomatic third molars was 40.8%. In cases of full impacted tooth or full erupted tooth, the percentage of asymptomatic teeth was more than 50% (52.4% and 54.3, respectively). Among those partially impacted teeth, 73.1% of them showed symptoms, such as pain, tenderness and swelling. In terms of age, pericoronitis was evident at a younger age, and dental caries/periodontitis was the main cause of removal in those aged over 50. Twenty nine cases (1.6%) had teeth associated with pathological changes Conclusion: The incidence of pathological changes to the lower third molar was relatively low. Surgical extraction is recommended in cases of partially impacted teeth. In Korea, the incidence of asymptomatic third molar extraction was relatively higher than in European countries. More careful attention would be desirable to consider the risks and benefits of lower third molar extraction.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study is to find the differentiating characteristics of cystic and cystic-appearing lesions that involve the impacted mandibular third molar by analyzing panoramic radiographs and computed tomography images, and to aid the preoperative diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Eighty-one patients who had a mandibular cystic or cystic-appearing lesion that involved impacted mandibular third molar and underwent cyst enucleation were included in the study. The preoperative panoramic radiograph and computed tomography findings were analyzed in accordance to the histopathologic type. Results: Most of the cystic lesions containing the mandibular third molar were diagnosed as a dentigerous cyst (77.8%). The occurrence of mesio-distal displacement of the third molar was more frequent in the odontogenic keratocyst (71.4%) and in the ameloblastoma (85.7%) than in the dentigerous cyst (19.1%). Downward displacement was primarily observed in each group. Odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma showed more aggressive growth pattern with higher rate of bony discontinuity and cortical bone expansion than in dentigerous cyst. Conclusion: When evaluating mandibular cystic lesions involving the impacted mandibular third molar, dentigerous cyst should first be suspected. However, when the third molar displacement and cortical bone absorption are observed, then odontogenic keratocyst or ameloblastoma should be considered.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between anxiety and preoperative pressure pain assessments and postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in impacted lower third molar tooth surgery. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 60 patients who underwent impacted lower third molar surgery. The preoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I), pressure pain threshold, and pressure pain tolerance scores were measured. At 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours, and at 6 days following surgery, the patients scored their pain on the visual analogue scale and recorded their analgesic drug usage. The data were evaluated, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: Of the 60 patients, 38 were female. Mean age was 24.62±7.42 years. The study found no relationship between preoperative pressure pain assessments and postoperative pain (P>0.05). There was also no relationship observed between preoperative STAI-I scores and postoperative pain (P>0.05). However, there was a positive correlation between operation time and total medication taken (P<0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, and anxiety level had no significant effects on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in impacted lower third molar surgery.

• 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.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2020

Background: Complications following impacted third molar surgery significantly affect patients' quality of life during the immediate postoperative period. This study aimed to achieve the proper anesthesia method by comparing the effect of the application of lidocaine alone with the application of lidocaine and articaine simultaneously in reducing the complications during and following impacted mandibular third molar surgery. Methods: The study design was a split-mouth double-blind randomized clinical trial. The study was conducted on 13 patients (26 samples) referred for elective surgical removal of bilateral impacted mandibular third molar with similar difficulty on both sides. Each patient underwent similar surgical procedures on two separate appointments. Each patient randomly received 2% lidocaine for conventional inferior alveolar nerve block and 4% articaine for local infiltration before the surgery on one side (group A) and 2% lidocaine alone (for both block anesthesia and infiltration) before the surgery on the other side (group B). Intraoperative and postoperative variables for both groups were established and statistically analyzed. Results: The findings showed that pain on the first day after surgery in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. The patients in group A mentioned experiencing less discomfort following the surgery. The increased horizontal swelling on the first and third days following surgery and oblique swelling on the seventh day in patients in group B were statistically significant. Conclusion: Choosing an appropriate anesthetic drug for oral surgery, specifically impacted third molar surgery, is dependent on the clinician's opinion, however; it seems that the combination of lidocaine and articaine may control the patient's pain significantly better than lidocaine alone.