Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) continues to be a frequent sequela of third molar surgery. Chlorhexidine 0.12% used as an oral rinse has been reported to reduce the incidence of dry socket. This study compares the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine used as a preoperative rinse and immediate postextraction irrigant with 1) similarly used 0.05% cetylpyridium, preoperative chlorhexidine rinse and...

A treatment objective of upper molar distalisation may often be required during the correction of a malocclusion. Distalisation is not only indicated for the management of Class II patients, but also for Class III surgery patients who require decompensation in the upper arch if upper incisor retrusion is needed. Unfortunately, most conventional intra-oral devices for non-compliance maxillary mo...

Introduction: Molar pregnancy presenting as an ectopic pregnancy is very rare with only occasional cases being previously reported. Case Report: A 50­year­old Asian female underwent a successful laparoscopic salpingectomy of an unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. The histopathology confirmed a complete molar pregnancy within the tubal specimen. Post­ operatively, after an initial fall, there wa...

PURPOSE To calculate the frequency of lingual nerve (LN) damage caused by lower third molar extraction and describe the evolution of LN sensitivity as well as the prognosis of LN damage based on preoperative data. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study of 4,995 lower third molar extractions performed in 3,513 outpatients of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (University of B...

PURPOSE To establish management protocol for mandibular angle fracture, we describe pertinent factors including cause, impacted third molar and recent treatment tendency. METHODS We examined the records of 62 patients who had unilateral mandibular angle fracture. Sixty patients who had open reduction surgery were examined at postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, 12, and 28. RESULTS Left mandibular a...

Accidental displacement of an impacted lower third molar into the pterygomandibular space during extraction is a rare complication. The purpose of this article is to report the case of a lower third molar displaced into the pterygomandibular space during an unsuccessful surgical intervention. A 26-year-old male patient presented with infection and trismus was referred to our clinic. The patient...

Permanent alteration of sensation in the lip after the removal of mandibular third molar teeth is an unusual but important complication. Studies have been performed to assess the risk of nerve damage but most of these have been retrospective and poorly controlled. This prospective trial predicted the outcome of altered sensation prior to surgery based on assessment of a panoramic radiograph and...

Third molar surgery is the most common procedure performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons worldwide. This article addresses the incidence of specific complications and, where possible, offers a preventive or management strategy. Complications, such as pain, dry socket, swelling, paresthesia of the lingual or inferior alveolar nerve, bleeding, and infection are most common. Factors thought t...