Clinician-related factors behind the decision to extract an asymptomatic lower third molar. A cross-sectional study based on Spanish and Portuguese dentists.

BACKGROUND: Scientific literature estimates that around 18 to 40 % of asymptomatic third molars are extracted. The aims of the present study were to determine the indications for extraction of asymptomatic lower third molars in a sample of Spanish and Portuguese dentists, and to relate these indications to the clinicians' training and professional experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey consisting of 15 cases of asymptomatic lower third molars was emailed to Portuguese and Spanish dentists. The clinicians were asked to assess the level of difficulty of the extractions and to make a reasoned recommendation based on the panoramic radiographs, gender and age of the patients. RESULTS: 381 clinicians filled in the questionnaires. Most of the professionals had over 13 years of clinical experience. The number of Spanish clinicians with postgraduate degrees in Oral Surgery was significantly higher. On average, 42% of respondents recommended extraction of asymptomatic third molars. The indication for extraction was significantly higher among Portuguese dentists. Clinical experience was negatively correlated with the perceived extraction difficulty (p<0.05). The main reason given for extracting was the prevention of pericoronitis, whereas that for not extracting was the absence of a clear indication and the risk of injuring the inferior alveolar nerve. CONCLUSIONS: The Portuguese dentists were more in favour of removing asymptomatic lower third molars than the Spanish dentists, although the latter had a higher proportion of professionals with postgraduate studies in Oral Surgery.

Revisión bibliográfica de Implantología Bucofacialdel año 2007 / Bibliographical review of Oral Implantology of the year 2007

Se expone una revisión de la literatura científica publicada en revistas indexadas durante el año 2007 sobre Implantología Bucofacial. La escasez de tiempo de que disponen los profesionales para consultar las múltiples fuentes de información, ha motivado a los autores a resumirlos artículos publicados y clasificarlos en los siguientes apartados: generalidades, pacientes especiales, superficies y diseños, tejidos blandos, implantes inmediatos, carga inmediata, complicaciones, elevación sinusal, técnicas avanzadas, plasma rico en plaquetas y factores de crecimiento, cirugía guiada, cirugía mínimamente invasiva y mini implantes, con la intención de facilitar una puesta al día (AU)

The lack of the available time of the professionals involved in the Odontological field and the difficulty to maintain a good level of information about Oral Implantology, arouse the interest of the authors to expose a synthetic review of the publications. Inside this article there are different aspects related to treatment planning, special patients, design and surfaces, immediateload, PRP, guided surgery and others (AU)