• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the mandibular canal and impacted mandibular third molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare the CBCT findings with signs on panoramic radiographs(PRs). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 200 mandibular third molars from 200 patients who showed a close relationship between the mandibular canal and impacted third molars on PRs and were referred for a CBCT examination of the position of the mandibular canal. The sample consisted of 124 females and 76 males, with ages ranging from 18 to 47 years (mean, $25.75{\pm}6.15$ years). PRs were evaluated for interruption of the mandibular canal wall, darkening of the roots, diversion of the mandibular canal, and narrowing of the mandibular canal. Correlations between the PR and CBCT findings were statistically analyzed. Results: In total, 146 cases(73%) showed an absence of canal cortication between the mandibular canal and impacted third molar on CBCT images. A statistically significant relationship was found between CBCT and PR findings (P<0.05). The absence of canal cortication on CBCT images was most frequently accompanied by the PR sign of diversion of the mandibular canal(96%) and least frequently by interruption of the mandibular canal wall(65%). Conclusion: CBCT examinations are highly recommended when diversion of the mandibular canal is observed on PR images to reduce the risk of mandibular nerve injury, and this sign appears to be more relevant than other PR signs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the anatomic circle around the impacted lower third molar to show, document, and correlate essential findings that should be included in the routine radiographic assessment protocol as clinically meaningful factors in overall case evaluation and treatment planning. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomographic images of impacted lower third molars were selected according to specific inclusion criteria. Impacted teeth were classified according to their position before assessment. The adjacent second molars were assessed for distal caries, distal bone loss, and root resorption. The fourth finding was the presence of a retromolar canal distal to the impaction. Communication with the dentist responsible for each case was done to determine whether these findings were detected or undetected by them before communication. Results: Statistically significant correlations were found between impaction position, distal bone loss, and detected distal caries associated with the adjacent second molar. The greatest percentage of undetected findings was found in the evaluation of distal bone status, followed by missed detection of the retromolar canal. Conclusion: The radiographic assessment protocol for impacted third molars should consider a step-by-step evaluation for second molars, and clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of second molar affection in horizontal and mesioangular impactions. They also should search for the retromolar canal due to its associated clinical considerations.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.492-498
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• 2009

We sought to evaluate the relationship between the mandibular canal and impacted mandibular third molars by using dental cone beam computed tomograph(CBCT) for third molar surgery. A total of 111 patients(177 teeth) offered the images through CBCT and panoramic radiography for the extraction of the mandibular third molars. In CBCT, the accurate relationship between the third molar and the mandibular canal were evaluated. In panoramic radiographies, we evaluated the impacted level and superimposition sign of the mandibular third molar with the mandibular canal, and also, the radiopacity of the white line in the canal. Data were statistically analyzed and estimated by $X^2$-test. In CBCT finding, high prevalence of contact between the mandibular canal and roots occured in the deep impacted third molars, narrowing mandibular canals, bending mandibular canals and cases where the radiopacity of white line of canals were "absence" on panoramic images. It showed statistical significance (P<0.05). When evaluating the mandibular canal and the roots through the panoramic radiography for third molar extraction, it could be difficult to diagnosis accurately. Thus, it is required to have an accurate diagnostic approach through CBCT that could evaluated the location between mandibular canal and root.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the patient's pain and quality of life after suture removal at either 3 or 7 days following the bilateral surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in 30 patients, who acted as their own control. Each patient required the bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars to be extracted. The impacted teeth were removed and the wound margins were approximated and sutured with black braided silk. The suture material was removed on day 3 on one side and on day 7 on the other. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire after the removal of the suture material on each designated day. Results: Regarding overall clinical symptoms, the mean VAS scores of male and female participants on day 3 were not significantly different from those on day 7. A significant difference was found in female participants, in that overall daily activity was better on day 7. There were significant differences in the ability to smile and laugh in both sexes and the ability to chew in the male participants was better on day 7. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the patient's pain and quality of life between suture removal on day 3 or on day 7 following surgery to remove impacted lower third molars.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.565-569
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the presence and impacted state of the mandibular third molars on the incidence of mandibular condyle fracture. A retrospective study was designed for patients presenting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital and Tae-gu Fatima Hospital for treatment of mandibular fractures from January 2003 to January 2006. The independent variables in this study were the presence, degree of impaction of third molars, and the outcome variables were the incidence of mandibular condyle fractures. Hospital charts and panoramic radiographs were used to determine and classify these variables. The demographic data included age, sex, mechanisms of injuries and number of mandibular condyle fractures. The study sample comprised 136 mandibular condyle fractures in 105 patients. Result of this study demonstrated a statistically significant difference in ipsilateral condyle fractures and mandibular third molar absence(P=0.032) and bilateral condyle fractures without another fracture and mandibular third molar absence(P=0.028).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2001

PURPOSE : The Purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect on combination dosage of dexamethasone and naproxen after removal of impacted 3rd molars. We evaluated postoperative pain, swelling, and mouth opening limitation quantitatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS : Removal of an impacted lower third molar was done under local anesthesia with 2% lidocaine to 239 healthy patients. We randomly gave experimental group 1.5mg dexamethasone and 200mg naproxen three times a day for postoperative 2days, and also gave control group 200mg naproxen alone three times a day for postoperative 2days. Swelling and pain were measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). Mouth opening limitation was measured by maximum interincisal opening length. We estimated these measurements in the first and second postoperative days. Differences between experimental and control group were investigated considering age, sex, BMI(body mass index), impacted type, surgical site(right or left), and operation time by independent student T-test. RESULTS : In general, swelling, pain, and mouth opening limitations were significantly reduced (p<0.01) by combination dose of dexamethasone and naproxen in postoperative one day. But there was no difference in pain on the second postoperative day. As variables being considered, in the postoperative pain, there was significant difference between experimental group and control group in only male, little bony removal group, left side extraction group. In case of postoperative swelling, there was no significant differences in male, adolescence, long operating time group (over 20 minutes), medium BMI group and right side extraction group. In case of postoperative mouth opening limitation, there was significant difference between only female and long operating time group (over 20 minutes). CONCLUSION : Variables being considered, postoperative swelling was more reduced by the combination dose of naproxen and dexamethasone than that of naproxen alone after removal of impacted 3rd molars. But there was varoius results in pain and mouth opening limitation.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2018

INTRODUCTION The most commonly impacted tooth is the third molar. An impacted third molar can ultimately cause acute pain, infection, tumors, cysts, caries, periodontal disease, and loss of adjacent teeth. Local anesthesia is employed for removing the third molar. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 or 1:200,000 epinephrine for surgical extraction of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars. METHODS Sixty-five healthy participants underwent surgical extraction of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars in two separate visits while under local anesthesia with 2% lidocaine with different epinephrine concentration (1:80,000 or 1:200,000) in a double-blind, randomized, crossover trial. Visual analogue scale pain scores obtained immediately after surgical extraction were primarily evaluated for the two groups receiving different epinephrine concentrations. Visual analogue scale pain scores obtained 2, 4, and 6 h after administering an anesthetic, onset and duration of analgesia, onset of pain, intraoperative bleeding, operator's and participant's overall satisfaction, drug dosage, and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated for the two groups. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any measurements except hemodynamic factors (P > .05). Changes in systolic blood pressure and heart rate following anesthetic administration were significantly greater in the group receiving 1:80,000 epinephrine than in that receiving 1:200,000 epinephrine ($P{\leq}01$). CONCLUSION The difference in epinephrine concentration between 1:80,000 and 1:200,000 in 2% lidocaine liquid does not affect the medical efficacy of the anesthetic. Furthermore, 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine has better safety with regard to hemodynamic parameters than 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine. Therefore, we suggest using 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine rather than 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine for surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars in hemodynamically unstable patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 2001

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine radiologic variables affecting extraction of impacted mandibular third molar. Materials and Methods : This study was investigated on 44 consecutive extractions of unilateral impacted mandibular third molars (Male;34, Female;10, Mean age;24.98, Age range;19-35). Fourteen radiologic variables, which were actual value except only one, were evaluated to establish their relation to the operation time. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Stepwise procedures for regression analysis were carried out. Results : Eight variables (depth, angulation, ramus width, relationship to the second molar, distal ramus depth, mesial ramus depth, mesial periodontal ligament width and follicle) showed a statistically significant relation to the operation time(Pearson correlation coefficient, p<0.05). Two variables, depth and mesial periodontal ligament width, showed the most powerful and just relation to the operation time($r^2$ = 0.349, p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows that our results can help general practioner to estimate the operation time of extraction of impacted mandibular third molars by measuring two radiologic variables ; depth and mesial periondontal ligament width.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.309-315
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the existing classification and difficulty index of impacted mandibular third molars in clinical situations and propose a more practical classification system. Materials and Methods: This study included 204 impacted mandibular third molars in 154 patients; panoramic x-ray images were obtained before tooth extraction. Factors including age, sex, and pattern of impaction were investigated. All impacted third molars were classified and scored for spatial relationship (1-5 points), depth (1-4 points), and ramus relationship (1-3 points). All variables were measured twice by the same observer at a minimum interval of one month. Finally, the difficulty index was defined based on the total points scored as slightly difficult (3-4 points), moderately difficult (5-7 points), very difficult (8-10 points), and extremely difficult (11-12 points). Results: The strength of agreement of the total points scored and difficulty index were 0.855 and 0.746, respectively. Most cases were classified as moderately difficult (73.0%). Although only 13 out of 204 cases (6.4%) were classified as extremely difficult, patients classified as extremely difficult were the oldest (P<0.05). Conclusion: For difficulty classification, the authors propose one more difficult category beyond the existing three-step difficulty index: the clinician should consider the patient's age in the difficulty index evaluation.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2016

Pressure root resorption can be observed during the eruption of permanent dentition, especially of the maxillary canines (affecting lateral incisors) and mandibular third molars (affecting mandibular second molars). Since the cause of root resorption of the adjacent affected teeth is evident, treatment simply involves extraction of the impacted tooth. However, there have been few reports on the prognosis of the remaining resorbed tooth, as dentists often choose to extract them when damage due to root resorption is observed. We report a case involving a tooth that was severely resorbed due to pressure from an adjacent impacted tooth. After extraction of the impacted tooth, the remaining tooth retained vital pulp and survived as a functional tooth.