Comparison of Total Odontectomy, Coronectomy as Tx Choice in Third Molar Surgery

Background: Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury arising from complex third molar surgery can have a significant impact on quality of life in affected patients. Reported prevalence of postoperative paresthesia varies from 0.4% to 8.0% in the literature. Objective: To compare coronectomy and odontectomy and their respective risks of surgical complications and neurosensory deficits. Design/Participants: Prospective study of patients undergoing third molar removal between 2014 and 2022 at 1 teaching hospital. Methods: Patients were stratified into 2 groups: the coronectomy group (243 patients) and the odontectomy group (252 patients). Coronectomy was performed on high-risk teeth according to the Rood and Shehab radiologic signs and with confirmed proximity on cone-beam CT. Odontectomy was performed on teeth with no risk signs. Any teeth presenting decay on the root surface, periapical pathology, or immature apex were excluded from the coronectomy group. Procedures were conducted with ap more...