Third molars Flashcards
When do they erupt
18-24yrs
When do third molars start to form
Crown calcification begins between 7-10y and is completed by age 18y
Root calcification complete between 18-25y
What is meant by agenesis
absence of or failed development of a body part
Where is agenesis of the third molats more common
Maxilla in females
What is the most common reason for third molars failure to erupt
Impacted Third molars
What is meant by impacted molar
Tooth eruption is blocked
How can a third molar be impacted
Adjacent tooth, alveolar bone, surrounding mucossal soft tissue or a combo of these
What is the % of the incidence of impacted lower third molars
36-59%
What could a consequence of impaction be
Caries, pericoronitis or cyst formation
What nerves are at risk during a third molar surgery
Inferior Alveolar Nerve
Lingual Nerve
Nerve to Mylohyoid
Long Buccal Nerve
What ways on a radiograph would you be able to tell if theres risk to the inferior alveolar nerve canal
Darkening of the roots over the canal
Deflection of the roots
Narrowing of the roots
Interruption of the white line of canal
Dark and bifid apex of root
Narrowing of the canal
Diversion of the canal
What is the location of the lingual nerve
Close relationship to the lingual plate in mandibular and retromolar area
At or above level of lingual plate in 15-18% of cases
Between 0-3.5mm medial to mandible
What are the indications for a third molar extraction
Theraputic:
-Infection (caries, pericoronitits, perio etc)
-Cysts
-Tumour
-External resorption of 7 or 9
Surgical indications:
-Orthognathic surgery
-Fractured mandible
-In resection of diseased tissue
High risk of disease
Medical indications:
-Awaiting cardiac surgery
-Immunosuppressed
-To prevent osteonecrosis
Patients age
What is pericoronitits
Inflammation around the crown of a partially erupted tooth
The tooth is normally PE and visible
What causes the inflammation of pericoronitis
Food and debris gets trapped under the operculum resulting in inflammation or infection
How long does pericoronitis happen and at what ages
Usually transient
Usually occurs 20-40yrs
What anaerobic microbes are most common in pericoronitis
Streptococci
Actinomyces
Propionibacterium
A beta-lactamase producing Prevotella
Bacteroides
Fusobacterium
Capnocytophaga
Staphylococci
What are the S&S of pericoronitis
Pain
Swelling – Intra or extraoral
Bad taste
Pus discharge
Occlusal trauma to operculum
Ulceration of operculum
Evidence of cheek biting
Foetor oris
Limited mouth opening
Dysphagia
Pyrexia
Malaise
Regional lymphadenopathy
What is the treatment of pericoronitis
Incision of localised pericoronal abscess if required
+/- local anaesthetic (IDB) – depends on pain/patient
Irrigation with warm saline or chlorhexidine mouthwash (10-20ml syringe with blunt needle – under the operculum).
Extraction of upper third molar if traumatising the operculum
Patient instructed on frequent warm saline or chlorhexidine mouthwashes
When would you prescribe antibiotics
Generally do not prescribe antibiotics unless more severe pericoronitis, systemically unwell, extra-oral swelling, immunocompromised e.g. diabetic
What are the predisposing factors of pericoronitis
Partial eruption and vertical or distoangular impaction
Opposing maxillary M3M or M2M causing mechanical trauma contributing to recurrent infection
Upper respiratory tract infections as well as stress and fatigue pericoronitis
Poor oral hygiene
Insufficient space between the ascending ramus of the lower jaw and the distal aspect of the M2M
White race
A full dentition