Complications in coronectomy procedures for removal of lower third molars in contact with the mandibular canal: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review (SR) investigated whether the coronectomy of lower third molars in contact with the mandibular canal influences complications.

STUDY

DESIGN

An electronic search was conducted in indexed databases and grey literature. The study selection was performed using the Rayyan software among three researchers. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 tool. The meta-analysis considered P < .05 as significant in RevMan.

RESULTS

The analysis included 1,037 events in the intervention group and 1,054 in the control group for pain outcomes, showing a significant reduction in pain scores (-0.25 [95% CI: -0.46, -0.04], P = .020). There was no significant difference in pain perception between the groups (P = .140, I² = 0%). A significant reduction in the relative risk of paresthesia was observed (0.09 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.25], P < .001) with low heterogeneity (I² = 0%). However, there was no significant reduction in the risk of infection (P = .370, I² = 56%) or dry socket (P = .230, I² = 27%). Despite the low risk of bias, the heterogeneity (I² = 0%-56%) and sample sizes reduced the certainty of the GRADE evidence from very low to moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

This SR demonstrated that coronectomy is effective in preventing nerve damage and controlling pain and edema.