ORAL HEALTH EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROGRAM
View the CAT printer-friendly / share this CAT
spacer
Title Prophylactic Removal of Impacted Third Molars
Clinical Question In a healthy adult patient with impacted third molars, is prophylactic extraction of third molar or “watchful waiting” indicated for treatment?
Clinical Bottom Line There is not evidence that indicates nor contraindicates the prophylactic extraction of asymptomatic third molars. (See Comments on the CAT below)
Best Evidence (you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link)
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type
(level of evidence)
#1) 15846686Mettes/2005Adolescents and adultsMeta-Analysis
Key resultsAuthor was unable to find information that either supported or refuted prophylactic extraction of impacted third molars. There was evidence that supports impacted third molars being associated with pathologies. There was also evidence that supports that third molars do not induce late incisor crowding.
Evidence Search Meta-Analysis, Search “Tooth Extraction” [Mesh] Search “Molar, Third” [Mesh]#2 Search “Tooth, Impacted” [Mesh]
Comments on
The Evidence
Only three trials met the review search requirements (randomized control trials or controlled clinical trials including ongoing and unpublished). More research needs to be done.
Applicability Available evidence was not fully applicable.
Specialty/Discipline (Oral Surgery)
Keywords Impacted tooth, third molars, extraction, asymptomatic tooth, prophylactic extraction
ID# 545
Date of submission: 03/29/2010spacer
E-mail davenportr@livemail.uthscsa.edu
Author Rebecca Davenport
Co-author(s)
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor/Co-author Gregory Spackman, DDS, MBA
Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail SPACKMAN@uthscsa.edu
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?)
post a rationale
None available
spacer
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs)
post a comment
by Luong Nguyen-Hoang (San Antonio, TX) on 04/20/2012
A PubMed search on this topic was completed April 2012. The publications listed in the CAT are the most recent and highest level of evidence clinical question.
spacer

Return to Found CATs list