Third molar-optional tooth

Maria Concepcion Parrenas

University of the East, Philippines


There is always a nagging question which heightens my curiosity on the appropriate removal of an impacted third molar in this specific situation:


What if you have a carious or beyond-repair second molar or second bicuspid? Will you try to heroically upright the mesially or horizontally impacted third molars?

Orthodontic uprighting technique for effective treatment of impacted third molars, exposed or unexposed, is described. When used with TADS along with Australian wire, .020 is the other technique that I used. The other one is with several wire mechanics without using TADS but with the utilization of some uprighting techniques that are simple and effective in positioning impacted third molars.

Uprighting of mesially tilted molars is the recommended treatment and should be done as soon as possible. If not properly corrected, mesially impacted molars may lead complications such as elongation of opposing teeth, periodontal problems on the medial side of the affected teeth, caries in the unerupted molars, temporomandibular disorders and poor oral hygiene. Some clinical procedures have been used to upright third molar are mentioned above. Is it really worth working to leave the third molar be uprighted or have it surgically removed?