Extraction of Distoangular and Vertically Positioned Mandibular 3rd Molars, A Comparative Study: Conventional Surgical Technique vs. Cowhorn Forceps Technique

Mandibular 3rd molars are the most commonly impacted teeth in oral cavity followed by maxillary 3rd molars and maxillary canines respectively. Impaction is a condition where a tooth fails to erupt in its final functional position, theoretically owing to inadequate space distal to the second mandibular molar and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible . Surgical removal of the third molar is the most common procedure carried out by a maxillofacial surgeon in the dental office. Surgical extractions are time consuming, expensive and cause morbidities such as pain, swelling, dry socket, trismus, and nerve injury when compared to non-surgical extractions. Various classifications have been proposed for mandibular 3rd molars, most common of which, is based on angulation of impacted tooth to the long axis of 2nd molar. Distoangular impacted 3rd molars are very difficult to remove because of lack of space distal to the tooth and lack of interdental space available for the application of elevator. Cowhorn forcep engages between the bifurcation of the mandibular molars and below the bone crest and causes displacement of tooth by upward movement or by splitting mesial and distal root. In our study cowhorn forcep are fist placed between 2nd and 3rd molar below the cementoenamel junction after its placement an apical pressure in applied and this rotation results an upward and distal movement and displacement of impacted tooth from the socket which then can easily be removed with cow horn forcep or molar crown forcep. The aim of our study is to present the minimal invasive technique for the extraction of distoangular and vertical impacted mandibular 3rd molars using cow horn forcep in comparison to conventional surgical techniques to avoid complications associated with open surgical techniques .

METHOD:

Total 128 patients will be recruited and divided into 64 patients in each group (two groups) attending in Dr. inshrat ul ebad institute of oral health sciences, Ojha, fulfilling inclusion criteria and undergoing extraction of 3rd molars will be included in this study. The participant will be briefed about the nature and purpose of the study. They will be ensured that their information will be used for the study purpose only. Informed consent from the participants will be obtained. Complete history from the patients will be taken and pre-operative evaluation will be done by clinical (pain and swelling) and radiographical (angulation of the tooth) examination. All the patients would undergo extraction of 3rd molars via both either conventional surgical technique or the proposed technique in the study. Followup will be done after 3 days to evaluate the same post-operative variables (pain and swelling) after extraction of 3rd molar and both techniques will then be compared in terms of variables measured.