Application and evaluation of coronectomy in Switzerland

Coronectomy is the intentional partial removal of a tooth. Thereby the crown of the tooth is removed and the roots are left in place. Compared to the complete operative removal of a wisdom tooth, the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve injury (IANI) is lower. The aim of this study is a survey on the use and acceptance of wisdom tooth coronectomy in Switzerland. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to 266 dentists specialized in oral surgery or maxillofacial surgeons; 58.3% of the questionnaires were returned and could be assessed. The statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test. The technique was classified as «non-reliable» by 51.6% of the respondents. In cases manifesting a high risk of IANI, 40.6% offered the patient a coronectomy. In a tooth exhibiting a high risk of IANI, 69.0% could envisage to perform a coronectomy instead of a complete operative removal. The technique was not used by 54.8%. A significantly larger proportion of study participants who specialized in or after the year 2005 (p < 0.05) rated the technique as “reliable”. The same applied to respondents who specialized in Bern (p < 0.05) and those who already had used coronectomy (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results show that the majority of maxillofacial and oral surgeons reject coronectomy. In view of recent studies, this attitude should be reconsidered.