Biomaterial Database

Management of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth: a multicentre comparison. 1996

H Singh, and K Lee, and A F Ayoub

Department of Oral Surgery, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

This study was carried out to assess the opinions of clinicians (general practitioners and oral and maxillofacial surgeons) regarding the management of unerupted Mandibular Asymptomatic Impacted Wisdom Teeth (MAIWT) at two centres: Glasgow Dental Hospital and School and its affiliated institutions and Prince Philip Dental Hospital and its affiliated institutions in Hong Kong. Twenty four clinicians, twelve from each centre, of whom six were oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) and six general dental practitioners (GDP) participated in this investigation. The orthopantomographs of 21 cases were used in the study and were examined by each clinician to investigate the management of unerupted MAIWT was recorded using a custom written questionnaire. Hong Kong clinicians showed a greater tendency towards extraction of MAIWT in comparison to Glasgow clinicians. The difference was statistically significant. The data indicates a significant difference between Hong Kong OMS and Glasgow OMS and between Hong Kong OMS and Hong Kong GDP, with Hong Kong OMS showing a greater tendency towards extraction. This study proved the diversity of opinions in one of the most common dento-alveolar procedures. The dilemma to extract or retain MAIWT still exists and controversy is likely to remain. The difference in the rationale of management regimes between the centres are discussed. The medico-legal and financial issues are investigated.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008334	Mandible	The largest and strongest bone of the FACE constituting the lower jaw. It supports the lower teeth.	Mylohyoid Groove,Mylohyoid Ridge,Groove, Mylohyoid,Grooves, Mylohyoid,Mandibles,Mylohyoid Grooves,Mylohyoid Ridges,Ridge, Mylohyoid,Ridges, Mylohyoid
D008964	Molar, Third	The aftermost permanent tooth on each side in the maxilla and mandible.	Tooth, Wisdom,Teeth, Wisdom,Molars, Third,Third Molar,Third Molars,Wisdom Teeth,Wisdom Tooth
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D005792	General Practice, Dental	Nonspecialized dental practice which is concerned with providing primary and continuing dental care.	Dental General Practice,Dental General Practices,General Practices, Dental,Practice, Dental General,Practices, Dental General
D006723	Hong Kong	The former British crown colony located off the southeast coast of China, comprised of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and New Territories. The three sites were ceded to the British by the Chinese respectively in 1841, 1860, and 1898. Hong Kong reverted to China in July 1997. The name represents the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese xianggang, fragrant port, from xiang, perfume and gang, port or harbor, with reference to its currents sweetened by fresh water from a river west of it.	Kowloon,New Territories,Hongkong
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012606	Scotland	The most northerly of the four countries of the United Kingdom, occupying about one-third of the island of Great Britain. The capital is Edinburgh.
D013515	Surgery, Oral	A dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disease, injuries, and defects of the human oral and maxillofacial region.	Exodontics,Surgery, Maxillofacial,Maxillofacial Surgery,Oral Surgery
D014081	Tooth Extraction	The surgical removal of a tooth. (Dorland, 28th ed)	Extraction, Tooth,Extractions, Tooth,Tooth Extractions
D014095	Tooth, Impacted	A tooth that is prevented from erupting by a physical barrier, usually other teeth. Impaction may also result from orientation of the tooth in an other than vertical position in the periodontal structures.	Teeth, Impacted,Impacted Teeth,Impacted Tooth