This review of the effect of presences of third molars on mandibular fractures includes 35 observational studies. The findings suggest that the presence of third molars increases the change of mandibular angle fractures.
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This review of the effectiveness of chlorhexidine gel for the prevention of alveolar osteitis (AO) included 10 trials published since 2010. The findings suggest a 57% reduction in incidence of AO similar to other reviews of this topic.
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Mark-Steven Howe looks in detail at a recent network meta-analysis (NMA) of periodontal outcomes following third molar surgery. However the limited number of studies available for the NMA mean the reviews findings need to be interpreted with caution.
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This review of the effectiveness of chlorhexidine for prevention of dry socket after third molar removal includes 18 RCTs. The finding suggest a 47% (95%CI,38-55) reduction in cases following its use.
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This review of panoramic radiography for IAN injury prediction after third molar surgery included 8 studies calculating key diagnostic data fro the 7 classical used signs. Values were to low to rule out post-operative damage before surgery but some siigns could rule in risk of injury.
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Fifteen studies (5 RCTs) were included in this review of piezoelectric surgery for third molar removal. The findings suggest better outcomes with piezoelectric surgery however the limited quality of the available evidence means that the findings should be viewed with caution.
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This review of the effect of orthodontic extractions on the angulation of third molars included only 14 retrospective studies. This provides very low quality evidence of any effect
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8 small RCTs were identified for this review of the effect of flap design on periodontal outcomes following third molar removal. The available evidence did not favour any particular flap design.
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This update of an earlier Cochrane review comparing retention or extraction of of asymptomatic disease-free impacted third molars only identified 2 studies of low to very low quality evidence providing insufficient evidence to inform practice.
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This review of antibiotic prophylaxis for the removal of third molars included 22 RCTs and suggest that antibiotic use lowered the infection risk by 60%. The number pf patients needed to treat to prevent one infection was 14 (95%CI;11-19).
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