Spontaneous bone regeneration after surgical extraction of a horizontally impacted mandibular third molar: a retrospective panoramic radiograph analysis
10.1186/s40902-018-0187-8
- Author:
Eugene KIM
1
;
Mi Young EO
;
Truc Thi Hoang NGUYEN
;
Hoon Joo YANG
;
Hoon MYOUNG
;
Soung Min KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-768 South Korea. smin5@snu.ac.kr.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Impacted third molar;
Vertical impaction;
Radiographic infrabony defect (RID);
Pederson’s difficulty index (DI);
Panoramic radiograph
- MeSH:
Alveolar Bone Loss;
Bone Regeneration;
Compensation and Redress;
Dental Caries;
Dental Cementum;
Follow-Up Studies;
Gingival Recession;
Molar;
Molar, Third;
Periodontal Pocket;
Retrospective Studies;
Tooth;
Tooth Cervix
- From:Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
2019;41(1):4-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The mandibular third molar (M3) is typically the last permanent tooth to erupt because of insufficient space and thick soft tissues covering its surface. Problems such as alveolar bone loss, development of a periodontal pocket, exposure of cementum, gingival recession, and dental caries can be found in the adjacent second molars (M2) following M3 extraction. The specific aims of the study were to assess the amount and rate of bone regeneration on the distal surface of M2 and to evaluate the aspects of bone regeneration in terms of varying degree of impaction. METHODS: Four series of panoramic radiographic images were obtained from the selected cases, including images from the first visit, immediately after extraction, 6 weeks, and 6 months after extraction. ImageJ software® (NIH, USA) was used to measure linear distance from the region of interest to the distal root of the adjacent M2. Radiographic infrabony defect (RID) values were calculated from the measured radiographic bone height and cementoenamel junction with distortion compensation. Repeated measures of analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance were conducted to analyze the statistical significant difference between RID and time, and a Spearman correlation test was conducted to assess the relationship between Pederson’s difficulty index (DI) and RID. RESULTS: A large RID (> 6 mm) can be reduced gradually and consistently over time. More than half of the samples recovered nearly to their normal healthy condition (RID ≤ 3 mm) by the 6-month follow-up. DI affected the first 6 weeks of post-extraction period and only showed a significant positive correlation with respect to the difference between baseline and final RID. CONCLUSIONS: Additional treatments on M2 for a minimum of 6 months after an M3 extraction could be recommended. Although DI may affect bone regeneration during the early healing period, further study is required to elucidate any possible factors associated with the healing process. The DI does not cause any long-term adverse effects on bone regeneration after surgical extraction.