When the roots of a patient’s mandibular third molars are located close to the nerves of the jaw, coronectomy is a viable alternative to extraction, removing the crown of the tooth while reducing the risk of inferior dental nerve injury. However, many general dentists and oral surgeons may hesitate before recommending a coronectomy, for fear the retained root may become infected and symptomatic over time. To investigate the risk, Dr. Yiu Yan Leung and Prof. Lim Kwong Cheung of the University of Hong Kong conducted a long-term evaluation into the morbidity of coronectomy. Ninety-eight patients, 35 men and 63 women, with a total of 135 coronectomy procedures, completed the three-year review. After undergoing a coronectomy in a previous, randomized clinical trial, the patients were reviewed postoperative in the first week and then again in months 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36. Any patterns of root migrations were analyzed, and the morbidities of infection, pain, root eruption, reoperation to remove the root, and the development of any pathology were recorded.
The research noted root migration occurred most often in the first 12 months, but stopped migrating entirely from month 24 onward. Mean root migration by the end of the study was 2.8 mm, with standard deviation of 1.4 mm. In only 3 percent (4/135) of the cases being reviewed, migration resulted in root eruptions and sensitivity. Erupted roots were removed and none of the reoperated cases experienced postoperative inferior alveolar nerve deficit during the rest of the study. As for the remaining patients, no pathology developed in any of the retained roots after coronectomy. Dr. Yiu Yan Leung and Professor Lim Kwong Cheung concluded retained roots after coronectomy produce no complications in terms of infection, pain, or the development of pathologies within the first three years. While root eruption can occur in a small percentage of patients, operations to remove the erupted roots are successful and are unlikely to result in future complications.
Wisdom Teeth and Migrating Roots
3-Year Study Evaluates the Safety of Coronectomy
HAVE A LAUGH
Thai Spaghetti Squash WITH PEANUT SAUCE
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
•
1 medium spaghetti squash
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Halve squash and scoop out seeds. 2. Drizzle inside of squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place squash on baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes. 3. Let cool. Using a fork, scrape out spaghetti squash strands. 4. Place sauce ingredients in saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. 5. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, parsley, and 1/4 of the peanut sauce and combine. 6. Add spaghetti squash and crushed peanuts. Stir to combine until heated through, about 2 minutes. Once served, drizzle with more peanut sauce.
•
Olive oil
•
Salt
•
1 garlic clove, minced
•
¼ cup chopped parsley
•
2 tablespoons crushed peanuts
Peanut sauce: •
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
•
¾ cup unsweetened peanut butter
•
¼ cup coconut sugar
•
2 tablespoons soy sauce
•
2 tablespoons white vinegar
•
2 teaspoons sesame oil
•
2 teaspoons red curry paste
3
Westchester Office • 914-251-0313
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs