Influence of secondary wound healing after mandibular third molar coronectomy

Our aim was to describe the postoperative morbidity related to secondary wound healing after coronectomy. Ten of 116 patients treated by coronectomy healed by second intention as a result of failed sutures. We made a retrospective analysis after two years to evaluate the postoperative morbidity related to secondary wound healing. The complete closure of the alveolus of the 10 surgical sites was recorded three months after coronectomy. No patients had postoperative infections, dry socket, or pulpitis. All patients were free of symptoms, the retained roots were completely included, and were not detectable with a periodontal probe. The importance of primary wound closure after coronectomy has been stressed as a critical point to avoid postoperative infection of the root. We found that secondary wound healing after coronectomy was not associated with a high postoperative infection rate, but further randomised clinical studies are necessary to confirm the need for primary closure and its relations to the long-term success of the coronectomy.