Open AccessProphylactic Extraction of Third Molars: Evidence-Based Dentistry
Author(s) -
Arturo GarrochoRangel,
Amaury PozosGuillén,
Miguel Ángel Noyola-Frías,
Ricardo Martínez-Rider,
Brisa González-Rivas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
odovtos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2215-3411
pISSN - 1659-1046
DOI - 10.15517/ijds.v19i3.29101
Subject(s) - medicine , molar , asymptomatic , dentistry , dental extraction , prophylactic treatment , orthodontics , surgery
This new perspective article was performed to investigate the evidence from published dental literature about the prophylactic extraction of asymptomatic (or disease-free) impacted third molars (ITM) in adolescents and young adults. This clinical procedure is common until today and has been the origin of controversy among the dental community worldwide. However, evidence-based data from well-conducted clinical studies and systematic reviews are not sufficient to justify the routine prophylactic extraction of ITM. Active surveillance at regular intervals has been proposed as a better management strategy. As a conclusion, surgical removal of ITM is only justified in the presence of specific pathosis, independently of the patient’s age.