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Use of Computer-Assisted Navigation in the Retrieval of Accidentally Displaced Third Molars
Yi Guo1, Dong-Dong Xu1, Kun Lv2
1Resident, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and the Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to describe the application of computer-assisted navigation for the retrieval of accidentally displaced mandibular third molars.
Patients And Methods:
All patients identified as having an accidentally displaced mandibular third molar or root fragment and presented to the authors' department from April 2013 through June 2015 were included in this prospective study. Retrieval of the displaced molar was performed in these patients under the guidance of computer-assisted navigation, in which a registered forceps was used to clamp and retrieve the molar. Postoperative complications were assessed for all patients.
Results:
Twelve patients were included in this case series. Using computer-assisted navigation, the operation proceeded successfully in all patients. These patients displayed uneventful healing without postoperative complications.
Conclusion:
Computer-assisted navigation is a safe, straightforward, and minimally invasive treatment method that can be applied for the retrieval of accidentally displaced third molars. It is recommended as an intraoperative tool for the retrieval of teeth or tooth fragments displaced into areas that are difficult to access.
