Postoperative status after partial removal of the mandibular third molar.

The aim of the study was to examine the postoperative status one year after partial removal of the third mandibular molar. Thirty-three third molars were selected because of the proximity of the apices to the mandibular canal and/or complicated root anatomy. At a follow-up examination one year postoperatively, clinical and radiological findings were recorded. A definition based on both clinical and radiological findings for healing and unsatisfactory healing, respectively, is suggested. Twenty-seven root fragments migrated between 1 and 7 mm coronally in the length axis of the tooth. Nine patients had subjective symptoms or objective findings. Three of these patients had dysesthesia. The findings indicated healing around 24 root fragments (73%) and unsatisfactory healing around 9 root fragments (27%). This findings of healing around most of the root fragments indicates that partial removal might be considered as an alternative method in certain cases of complicated root anatomy.