Survival of molar teeth after resective periodontal therapy--a retrospective study

To study outcomes of molar teeth after resective therapy performed with the intention to prolong the lifespan of teeth having one or more unsaveable roots, and without which tooth extraction would be inevitable.

Clinical records of 149 subjects who had undergone resective therapy were retrieved. Demography and dental history were recorded, and a recall examination was undertaken. Cox regression models were performed.

Of the 149 resective therapies, 132 (88.6%) were performed for periodontal reasons. Eighty-nine (59.7%) teeth subjected to resective therapies had been extracted by the time of recall (mean 10 years post-resection). The median survival period was 74 months. Factors significantly associated with shorter survival duration of teeth subjected to resective therapy were: age at resective therapy; pre-operative radiographic bone height of the remaining root(s) <50%; pre-treatment mobility II or above and not being splinted to neighbouring teeth nor incorporated as a bridge abutment.

There was increased risk of tooth loss with increasing age at resection, grade II mobility or above, and reduced pre-operative radiographic bone heights around roots to remain. Splinting of a resected tooth to neighbouring teeth appeared to confer a protective effect towards its survival.