Forth Molar?
Did you all know that some people even have more than their 3rd molar. Although uncommon, we do come across these types of cases where patients have extra teeth, a.k.a. “supernumerary”. In a recent study in the Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Shahzad and his team studied the prevalence of forth molars and found it to be 2%. More common in black patients and typically in the upper jaw and only on one side. The decision to whether to remove them is based on the same risks/benefits ratio as the removal of their molars.
So why are third molars such an issue? There was a literature review done in 2007 looking at all the date on Ovid Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane. This was later published as the “white paper”.
The following is a brief summary of some of the findings related to third molars:
- The presence of visible third molars is associated with overall elevated levels of periodontitis (gum disease) and that of immediately adjacent teeth (second molars).
- In the presence of visible third molars, periodontitis involving adjacent teeth is progressive and only partially responsive to therapy (typically deep cleanings and antibiotics).
- The presence of pocket depths of ≥4-5 mm and/or bleeding on probing should be recognized as possible predictors of future progression of periodontitis (gum disease).
- Periodontal disease as indicated by probing depths > 4 mm exists in and around asymptomatic third molars
- GTR and/or DBP (bone grafting after extraction) may be beneficial in instances where there is evidence of significant pre-existing attachment loss (bone loss on the back side of the second molar).
- Absence of symptoms does not indicate absence of disease or pathology.
- Periodontal disease progresses even in the absence of symptoms.
- Periodontal defects, as assessed by pocket depths, deteriorate with increasing age in the presence of retained third molars.
- Caries (cavities) in erupted third molars increases in prevalence with increasing age.
- The incidence of postoperative morbidity following third molar removal is higher in patients > 25 years.
- Germectomy (removal of the third molar that is premature and has one third or less of root formation) may be associated with a lower incidence of postoperative morbidity.
Always look for the serious and articles I find in this beautiful site
Thanks for pretty impressive post. I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
What a great website. I am happy I found it.It’s nice to read something interesting I cannot find subscription list
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait ..
As soon as I noticed this website I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Lovely just what I was looking for.
I do like this site, keep on doing good job !
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some great details , I besides conceive this s a very wonderful website.
Is there any way to share this post on Facebook?? I can’t find a ‘Like’ button…
Andrew,
We do not have a facebook page, but if you want to link our website to your facebook,
just post a copy of our url: http://www.sfsurgicalarts.com/
Thanks!
Thanks for the good article, I was searching for details like this, going to check out the other posts.
Thank you for any other informative site. The place else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a undertaking that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
Glad to help.