• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.309-315
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the existing classification and difficulty index of impacted mandibular third molars in clinical situations and propose a more practical classification system. Materials and Methods: This study included 204 impacted mandibular third molars in 154 patients; panoramic x-ray images were obtained before tooth extraction. Factors including age, sex, and pattern of impaction were investigated. All impacted third molars were classified and scored for spatial relationship (1-5 points), depth (1-4 points), and ramus relationship (1-3 points). All variables were measured twice by the same observer at a minimum interval of one month. Finally, the difficulty index was defined based on the total points scored as slightly difficult (3-4 points), moderately difficult (5-7 points), very difficult (8-10 points), and extremely difficult (11-12 points). Results: The strength of agreement of the total points scored and difficulty index were 0.855 and 0.746, respectively. Most cases were classified as moderately difficult (73.0%). Although only 13 out of 204 cases (6.4%) were classified as extremely difficult, patients classified as extremely difficult were the oldest (P<0.05). Conclusion: For difficulty classification, the authors propose one more difficult category beyond the existing three-step difficulty index: the clinician should consider the patient's age in the difficulty index evaluation.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-2
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• 2020

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine cell viability and differentiation capability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and to elucidate the effects of cryopreservation on the activity of human third molar PDL cells by comparing PDL cells with and without cryopreservation. Materials and Methods: Human PDL fibroblasts obtained from immature third molars were cultured and divided into two groups. The experimental group was cryopreserved with a slow freezing rate of $0.5^{\circ}C/min$ from $4^{\circ}C$ to $-35^{\circ}C$ followed by plunging in liquid nitrogen at $-196^{\circ}C$ and cultured after fast thawing. The control group was cultured without cryopreservation. Cell viability, growth capacity and morphology were evaluated in both groups. Bivariate statistics were used to compare 2 groups and linear mixed model analysis was used to investigate the growth trends difference over time. Result: Cell viability and growth capacity were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Cultured cell of both groups showed fibroblast-like in appearance, and there were no significant differences in morphology between 2 groups. The mixed model analysis revealed no significant difference of growth capacity between 2 groups over time (${\beta}=-0.0009$; P=0.138). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that cryopreservation under control does not affect the biological properties of PDL cells, supporting the feasibility of autotransplantation of cryopreserved impacted third molars.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 2008

Purpose: Many clinical studies have reported that higher success rates are achieved with teeth that have immature roots than other autotransplanted teeth that have more immature root. However, based on date published recently, the success rate of autotransplantation of teeth with complete root formation was higher. The purpose of this study was to examine the long term(2 to 6 years follow-up) success rate of autotransplantation of third molar with complete root formation and to discuss some conditions and prerequisites for success. Materials and Methods: 26 sites of 24 patients aged 26 to 55 (mean age 40.8) were autotransplanted with third molars with complete root formation. These cases were followed for 2 to 6 years after surgery. The success criteria included (1) no discomfort during functioning (2) absence of progressive root resorption and alveolar bone resorption. Result: Of 26 teeth 5 teeth were failed, therefore success rate is 81%(21/26 teeth). The results suggested that higher success rate is acquired from (1) extraction socket due to dental caries (2) mandibular recipient site (3) patient younger than 40 years old. Autotransplantation of third molar to replace molars with advanced periodontal disease also showed considerably high success rate(84%). Conclusion: With appropriate case selection, autotransplantation of third molar with complete root formation remains a viable alternative for replacing a missing molar tooth.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-55
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• 2023

• 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 Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2023

We report two rare cases of extensive bilateral subcutaneous emphysema that occurred during ordinary dental procedures. An air-driven high-speed handpiece, routinely used in dental procedures may cause subcutaneous emphysema when high pressure air is introduced into the loose connective tissues below the dermal layer. The first case occurred with surgical extraction of the lower third molar. The air introduced into the fascial spaces near the surgical field spread to the contralateral spaces, as well as the neck and chest areas. The second case also showed extensive bilateral subcutaneous emphysema caused by the introduction of compressed air from the handpiece during crown preparation without any invasive procedure. Cases where the emphysema extends beyond the treatment site to involve the contralateral cervicofacial areas have been rarely reported. Predicting the occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema is difficult, so it is important to exercise caution during routine dental treatment. If significant bilateral cervicofacial swelling is suspected to be due to subcutaneous emphysema, prompt diagnosis with securing the patient's airway will be necessary.

• 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.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2017

Background: Dental fear is usually associated with hemodynamic changes. Fear of pain during the surgical removal of a lower impacted third molar might cause patients anxiety, thereby leading to avoidance of any future dental therapy. This study aimed to determine the effect of experiencing a surgical impacted-tooth removal on the pain perception-related anxiety and hemodynamic status. Method: Twenty-seven healthy patients aged 15-30 years (mean age, 24 years), for whom surgical removal of bilateral lower third molars was advised, were included. This prospective, randomized, controlled, split-mouth study involved operations on both sides of the mandibular arch, with a 1-month washout period in between. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before the surgical procedure, during and after the injection, preoperatively, and postoperatively. Pain perception was evaluated using a 100-mm visual analog scale during the injection, preoperatively, and postoperatively after the numbness disappeared. Differences in the blood pressure, heart rate, and pain perception between the two appointments were analyzed using the paired t-test. For all statistical analyses, SPSS version 11.5 was used. Results: The mean pain perception values during the injection and preoperatively showed no significant differences between the two appointments (P > 0.05); however, significant differences in the blood pressure and heart rate were noted before the surgical procedure; preoperatively, the blood pressure alone showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in the blood pressure and heart rate preoperatively; hence, experiencing a surgical impacted-tooth removal can reduce the subsequent preoperative anxiety in healthy patients.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2022

Background: Pain, edema, and trismus are predictable sequelae for surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars (M3M). The present study aimed to compare the anti-phlogistic potential of bromelain and aceclofenac in the reduction of post-surgical sequalae in the extraction of impacted M3M. Method: A randomized controlled, triple-blinded clinical study included 72 patients scheduled for surgical removal of impacted M3M under local anesthesia. Randomization was performed and subjects were equally allocated to groups A (control) and B (study), who intended to receive aceclofenac and bromelain, respectively. The primary outcome variables were pain, edema, and trismus evaluated on postoperative days 2 and 7 and compared with baseline values. The secondary variables evaluated were the quantity of rescue analgesics required and the frequency of adverse effects in both groups for 7 postoperative (PO) days. Data were analyzed with a level of significance of P < 0.05. Results: Group B demonstrated a significant decrease in the severity of edema and trismus compared to group A on both PO days 2 and 7 (P < 0.001). Bromelain demonstrated similar analgesic efficacy with an insignificant difference compared to aceclofenac (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that the efficacy of bromelain was comparable to that of aceclofenac in reducing inflammatory complications following surgical removal of impacted M3M. Bromelain can be considered a safe and potent alternative to routinely used aceclofenac when addressing inflammatory outcomes after surgery.