Complications of Third Molar Surgery and Their Management
The frequency and severity of untoward events associated with surgical procedures are influenced by multiple factors that may be related to the procedure, patient, and/or surgeon. Not every third molar…
Surgical Management of Third Molars
The removal of impacted third molars teeth is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. In large part this is because of the high…
Controversy, Evidence, and Third Molar Management
Given the prevalence of third molars, high incidence of associated pathology, and cost of care (surgical or active surveillance), decision-making and management strategies for third molars have received a great…
Perioperative Strategies for Third Molar Surgery
Introduction The removal of third molar teeth is one of the most common procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Third molar extraction is associated with undesirable sequelae and complication….
Complications of Retention: Pathology Associated with Retained Third Molars
Introduction An impacted tooth is one that either fails to erupt into its nature position or one that is hindered from such eruption by adjacent teeth, dense bone, or an…
The Management of the Asymptomatic, Disease-Free Wisdom Tooth: Removal Versus Retention
Introduction The management of impacted third molars (M3s) or wisdom teeth is a decision encountered by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) daily. The decision-making is usually very straightforward, owing to…
Evaluation of Third Molars: Clinical Examination and Imaging Techniques
Third molars are thought to have once been a necessity for early human ancestors in order to efficiently chew and digest the cellulose that comprised the plant foliage, which was…
The Nature of Third Molars: Are Third Molars Different than Other Teeth?
Although third molars have similarities with other teeth in the dental arch, in particular molars, they are significantly different in many important ways. They have less functionality than other teeth,…
Contemporary Management of Third Molars
Louis K. Rafetto, DMD, PA, Guest Editor More than 90% of the world’s population develops third molars. Particularly in the western world, more people are maintaining their dentition in good…
