Impacted lower third molars: another evidence against prophylactic removal
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Date
2005-10-01
Authors
Adeyemo, W.L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Impacted lower third molars: another evidence against prophylactic removal Prophylactic surgical removal of nonsymptomatic impacted lower third molars (ILTM) has generated a lot of controversies in oral surgical practice
in the last two decades. Previously, prophylactic surgery has been justified on the basis that third molars have no role in
the mouth, notwithstanding that few people would contemplate the prophylactic removal of their appendix, which, unlike
many unerupted third molars, communicates with the alimentary tract throughout life. Other justifications for prophylactic
removal are increased risk of cysts and tumors development, increased risk of mandibular angle fracture and increased difficulty of surgery with age.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Third molar extraction , Prophylaxis , Evidence against , Research Subject Categories::ODONTOLOGY
Citation
Adeyemo WL. Impacted lower third molars: another evidence against prophylactic removal. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005 Oct;34(7):816-7.