ABSTRACT
Bone loss at the distal aspect of mandibular second molars frequently is reported after extraction of impacted third molars. Typically, osseous grafting of the extraction site is not routinely performed. This study examined osseous healing following guided bone regeneration treatment of osseous defects distal to mandibular second molars after surgical removal of impacted mesioangularly or horizontally inclined third molars using the processed third molar as the graft material. For the study, 13 patients who required impacted third molar extractions were selected based on angulation of impaction. Patients requiring bilateral extractions were designated for a split-mouth study, while others were selected based on impaction angulation as a random study group. After surgical extraction of the third molars, the extracted teeth were stripped of any soft tissue, including the periodontal ligament, then ground and disinfected using a dentin grinding protocol to produce an autogenous dentin graft (ADG). This graft was then placed into the extraction socket and covered with a hemostatic sponge prior to site closure. Patients in the control group underwent the same procedure as those in the study group except that no ADG was placed in the socket and only a hemostatic sponge was placed prior to wound closure. Clinical and radiological examinations were performed, including panoramic radiographs and probing depths at 3 months and 12 months postoperatively. The alveolar bone level distal to the second molar was established by both probing depths and radiographic evaluation, which were compared between the two groups. At 12 months postoperative the study group showed probing distal to the second molar with a mean depth of 1.15 mm, whereas the control group showed probing with a mean depth of 4.45 mm. The authors conclude that autogenous dentin grafting is a viable option for use in the treatment of osseous defects distal to mandibular second molars following extraction of impacted third molars.
