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Why might wisdom teeth become impacted ?

Last teeth to develop ^UBAbVvzk

Lack of space

Irregularity in position - most likely to become ectopic

Density of overlying and surrounding bone

What symptoms might a patient complain about?

Pain

xxx

Impaction types

Soft tissue impaction

Bony impaction - Partial

Bony Impaction Complete

Winters Classification

Third molars classiified based on their inclination compared to the long axis of the 2nd molar

Vertical

xxx

Pell and Gregory Classificatoin

Archers Classification of upper 3s

Complications with lower 3s

displacement of the root or tooth

You have to section the tooth, meaning parts of the root can dissapear in the submandibular area!

There have been cases were roots or teeths are displaced and may need to be accessed extra-orally, p/ts can even lose salivary glands

Dry socket/ Alveolar Ostitis

Bony defects distal to the 2nd molar

Periodontal defect distal to the 2nd molar

IAN/ Lingual damage

Sometimes instruments are put down into the lingual suclus to push soft tissues away, but the process of retracting can stretch the lingual nerve and cause paresthesia

This is still a big debate in oral surgery!!

Tips to look out for

Darkening of the roots

Interruption of radiopaque line (loss of corticated border)

Diversion of the ID canal/ Narrowing of ID canal

Dark and bifid apex

Complications of upper 3’s

Oroantral communication

Displacement into adjacent anatomical spaces

Fracture of the maxillary tuberosity

Root Fracture

Assessment of OA communication is difficult from PA/s OPGs due to projection

CBCT is the best

For example: Sinus can invaginate between the root, or sit palatal to everything and it will show an overlap

Darkening of the root is a big hint that there is a change in radiodensity/smt happening here

Breaking of the cortical border is also a good indicator

Pathology associated with 3rd molars

Pericoronitis

Symptoms include:

  • Erythema -Swelling -Suppuration -Radiating pain to FOM, ear or throat

If you see pericoronitis, rub it down the sulucs and try to get discharge out: this tells you that its chronic

Management

Flushing around the tooth/flap with saline

Antibiotics (if we are thinking of a spreading infection)

remove opposing tooth as trauma from the upper exacerbates

Remove the impacted tooth

Operculectomy (not really advised unless for very short term relief)

Peridontitis

Caries

Tumours

ameloblastoma, okc, odontogenic fibroma, squamous cell carincoma

Cysts

Dentigerous cysts are the most common

Local and deep space infection

Root Resorption

Indications for removal

Ongoing pain

Infection : either single severe or repeat mild

Caries

cysts/tumours

resoprtion of the roots of the 2nd molars

If it is going to be in a surgical field

orthognathic surgery

ORIF

As part of an orthodontic treatment plan

Management of 3rd molars

Removal

General Principles :

  • Flap
  • Troguh
  • Section -Elevate -irrigate -close (generally takes between 5-20 minutes)

Coronectomy

Procedure involves:

  • Flap
  • Section off the crown , 2-4 mm below the cej
  • Removal of all residual enamel
  • MUST NOT mobilise roots

Works well for people at high risk of nerve injury/ social factors like singers and instrument players

Risk of failure and root migration

Active surviellance

  • Monitor Perio pocketing
  • Surveillance of OPG periodically