Periodontal healing after mandibular third molar surgery - A comparison of distolingual alveolectomy and tooth division techniques

The purpose of this study was to compare the periodontal healing of mandibular second molars after the removal of impacted mandibular third molars using distolingual alveolectomy and tooth division techniques. A total of 120 consecutive healthy patients who presented with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were included in this study. The same operator removed the impacted third molars on both sides in all patients. The third molar on one side was removed by distolingual alveolectomy using a chisel, whereas the contralateral tooth was removed by the tooth division technique using burs. Attachment level, periodontal pocket depth and bone healing distal to the mandibular second molars were assessed at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. The results showed better periodontal healing and bone healing when distolingual alveolectomy was employed, especially in the removal of deeply impacted mandibular third molars.