When it comes to extracting impacted mandibular third molars, the risk of causing damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is a significant concern for both dentists and patients. Traditional methods of complete tooth extraction have been associated with temporary or permanent neurological disturbances. However, an alternative procedure known as coronectomy has emerged as a promising technique to mitigate these risks. Coronectomy involves the removal of only the crown of the tooth, leaving the roots in place to avoid direct or indirect injury to the IAN. Incidentally, leaving root remnants after a tooth has been pulled was once considered taboo. This systematic review, based on ten studies, aims to elucidate the clinical effectiveness of coronectomy, particularly focusing on outcomes like nerve injury, post-operative complications, and the need for subsequent surgeries. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature, I explore how coronectomy can serve as a safer approach for managing third molars in close proximity to critical anatomical structures.
Read MoreI had the idea for a post about the different kinds of teeth we have a few weeks ago and thought it might be too simple. But then I had a patient that was asking me about the different kinds of teeth and their functions in chewing, so I am going forward with the post. Maybe this is not a very exciting topic, but knowledge of the functions of the different kinds of teeth we have could help patients who are experiencing problems because they are not correctly using them.
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