OS - third molars Flashcards
list the requirements for surgical removal of teeth
- when you cannot remove/ xLA a tooth conventionally
- gross caries
- complex root morphology
- retained roots below bone
- impacted teeth
- displaced teeth
- ectopic teeth
- pathology (cysts, external root resorption)
why may you have to surgically remove a tooth with gross caries?
unable to use forceps
no application point for elevators
why may you have to surgically remove retained roots that are below alveolar bone level?
no application point for elevators
in general terms, why does impaction occur?
prevention of complete eruption into a normal functional position due to lack of space or development in an abnormal position.
why may impaction predispose pathological changes?
while the tooth germ is forming there is a pathological change that affects the tooth - can involve soft tissues or hard and soft tissues.
aetiology of ectopic teeth?
malpositioned due to congenital factors
aetiology of displaced teeth?
malpositioned due to presence of pathology i.e., a cyst
describe completely unerupted teeth?
entirely covered by soft tissue and also partially/ totally covered in alveolar bone
describe ankylosed teeth?
fused with alveolar bone, rare with 8s, occurs after middle age
what is the cause of impacted teeth?
due to lack of space in the arch as a consequence of evolutionary changes and lack of an abrasive diet
list in order the commonest affected impacted teeth?
mandibular third molars
maxillary canines
mandibular premolars/canines
maxillary incisors
maxillary third molars
at what age do mandibular third molars usually emerge?
18-24 years
what is the prevalence of mandibular third molars to fail to develop?
1:4 adults
what is the prevalence of impacted third mandibular molars?
72%
what is is the decision for xLA mandibular third molars?
decision to remove based on balance of risk of observation against removal before overt disease develops
what guidelines are followed for removal of third molars?
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2000
list the indications for removal of mandibular third molars
pericoronitis
unrestorable caries
cellulitis/ osteomyelitis
periodontal disease
ortho reasons
prophylactic removal in medically compromised pts
obscure pain
disease of follicle
orthognathic surgery
transplant donor
what happens to teeth in the line of a fracture?
non vital
what are the relative contraindications for removal of third molars?
asymptomatic teeth
non-compliant patients
overt nerve involvement
what is pericoronitis?
inflammation of the tissues around the crown of any partially erupted/ impacted tooth
how many episodes of pericoronitis makes it an indication for xLA?
2 or more
list the features of pericoronitis?
trismus, pain, dysphagia, malaise, bad taste
signs of inflammation of the pericoronal tissues, with pus under operculum
halitosis, food packing
can progress with systemic symptoms and spread to adjacent tissue spaces
what is commonly performed in America to solve pericoronitis?
operculectomy
why do we not routinely practise operculectomy’s?
operculum will grow back
treatment options for a tooth in whose soft tissues have been traumatised from upper molar?
xLA upper 8
grind upper 8 cusps down
treatment options for pericoronitis?
local measures
- irrigation, OHI (small headed tooth brush/ water pick)
- remove trauma i.e., xLA upper 8 or grind down cusps
general measures
- analgesics, antibiotics if systemically unwell/ immunocompromised
- admission in severe airway threatening cases
list the microbes associated with pericoronitis?
predominantly anaerobic
strep, actinomyces, propionibacterium, a-beta-lactamase producing prevotella, bacteroides, fusobacterium, capnocytophaga and staph
what anaerobes are related to the increased incidence of second and third molar perio pockets deepening over 2 years?
prevotella intermedia
campylobacter
when can antibiotics be prescribed for pericoronitis?
when surgical removal of the cause or drainage of the infection under LA is impossible e.g., trismus, pt compliance
evidence of a systemic spreading infection needing urgent referral for hospitalisation
what are conservative treatment choices for removal of mandibular third molars?
monitor with radiographs
what treatment option is available for mandibular third molars if there is risk of damaging the inferior dental canal?
coronectomy
what may happen to existing TMJ pain after xLA?
worsens
what is the 7 at risk of with xLA of the 8 where there are perio pockets?
distal root exposure - sensitive
what radiographs are generally required to assess mandibular wisdom teeth?
OPG
PA sometimes - shows root apices and relation to IDC
what do radiographs assess with mandibular third molars?
all the tooth and adjacent structures including bone, tooth morphology and number and shape of the roots, hypercemetosis
depth of bone around tooth
follilcular pattern
external root resorption
caries in distal of 7