A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Algorithm for Impacted Teeth for Plastic Surgeons: Outcomes of 242 Extracted Teeth

Abstract

Objective: Impacted teeth are important for plastic surgeons that frequently perform maxillofacial operations because of their tendency to affect dental occlusion, and thus, cephalometric results. Moreover, severe complications are also caused by the tooth and its surgical removal. In this study, retrospective analysis of 242 extracted teeth and 24 extracted roots was performed and an algorithmic approach to different types and the localizations of impacted teeth was presented. Possible complications and salvage procedures were also discussed. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 128 patients who underwent impacted teeth removal surgery between 2013 and 2015 was performed. Mean age was 26 years (Range: 18–42 years), and the female to male ratio was 39/89. Sixteen of the patients were operated under regional nerve block, whereas the remaining were operated under general anesthesia. In 107 patients, the whole tooth was removed, whereas the residual root of the tooth was removed in 21 patients. In 89 patients, bone interventions like the creation of bone window or peridental milling to loosen the tooth were needed, whereas only oral mucosal incisions were performed in the remaining patients. Results: The most common onset symptom was localized pain, and the most common complications were swelling and edema. The most common extracted tooth was the mandibular 3rd molar. Lower lip hypoesthesia, which was continued up to eight months, was encountered in six patients who underwent mandibular 3rd molar extraction. Conclusion: In our opinion, a wide range of possible complications secondary to impacted teeth surgery makes them important for plastic surgeons who are more experienced than other disciplines, and learning teeth extraction is essential to learn in plastic surgery specialty training.

Keywords

• Ectopic tooth
• impacted teeth
• inferior alveolar nerve