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…
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
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…
Reconstruction of Hard and Soft Tissue Maxillofacial Defects
Key points • Reconstruction of maxillofacial composite defects is a technically demanding and time-demanding process. • Reconstruction requires a prolonged treatment course, a team approach, and meticulous planning that is…
Otologic and Temporal Bone Injuries, Triage, and Management
Key points • Temporal bone trauma requires a large amount of force, meaning that patients will presents with multiple injuries and the temporal bone injury is often incidentally found. Focus…
