Evaluation of some predictive factors of difficulty in the extraction of retained lower third molars
Abstract
Introduction: due to the high incidence of inclusion of third molars in bone tissue, extraction of these teeth is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by maxillofacial surgeons; in this regard, some studies focus on predicting the difficulties of this procedure.
Objective: to evaluate the radiographic aspects proposed in the Romero Ruiz Scale and its value to predict the complexities of extraction of retained third mandibular molars.
Method: a cross-sectional descriptive study of diagnostic means was carried out in patients treated at the Maxillofacial Surgery Consultation of the Provincial General Teaching Hospital "Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola" of Ciego de Ávila, from November 2013 to March 2015. The sample was made up of 104 patients who came to the consultation with a diagnosis of retained lower third molars.
Results: all variables studied –spatial relationship, depth and available space of the third molar, follicle size, bone and mucosa integrity, and root shape– were statistically significant; linear dependence was found between the variables, indicating a correlation between strong and perfect, and a directly proportional relationship between extraction time and difficulty factors.
Conclusions: the aspects proposed in the Romero Ruiz Scale are useful for the prediction of the complexity index in surgical interventions of retained mandibular third molars; the scale can be used in the preoperative assessment of patients as a complementary tool to identify possible difficult procedures and probable complications.