Abstract
The presence of asymptomatic third molars can represent a potential problem in the mandible when these teeth are retained and the patient has lost all normally erupted teeth. Once the mandibular first and second molars are removed, the mandibular body becomes weaker with time, increasing the complexity, morbidity and incidence of complication in the surgical procedure to remove the retained third molar. This paper reports a case where the mandibular third molars retained in a severely resorbed mandible were removed in a 54-year-old female patient. The treatment plan was based on the safe surgical removal of the teeth and prosthetic rehabilitation with an implant-supported milled bar overdenture and a bone-mucous-supported complete denture in the mandibular and maxillary arch, respectively. If the removal of a retained third molar is indicated in a severely resorbed edentulous mandible, the treatment plan must involve not only preventive measures in order to avoid mandible fracture during or after tooth removal, but also alternatives that allow an adequate mandibular rehabilitation.
Highlights
65% of the human population has at least one impacted third molar at 20 years of age [1]
The purpose of this paper is to present a clinical case in which the removal of the mandibular third molars was indicated in a patient with a severely resorbed edentulous mandible
The prophylactic removal of impacted third molars is basically indicated to avoid the morbidity associated with tooth removal in elderly patients, while in the conservative approach removal is performed only if some pathological lesion is detected at regular follow-up visits
Summary
65% of the human population has at least one impacted third molar at 20 years of age [1]. Reports indicate that 18-40% of all extracted third molars are asymptomatic [2], and there is considerable controversy regarding the best option for managing such cases. Adverse impacts of oral health on quality of life can be expected for one in ten patients with asymptomatic third molars. The presence of an asymptomatic third molar may present a potential problem in the mandible when these teeth are retained and the patient has lost all normally erupted teeth. It may be supposed that there is a tendency to treat more often adult and elderly patients presenting a severely resorbed edentulous mandible with third molars retained or partially erupted. The purpose of this paper is to present a clinical case in which the removal of the mandibular third molars was indicated in a patient with a severely resorbed edentulous mandible
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
