Application of T-shaped splitting method in the extraction of lower-level horizontal-impacted mandibular third molars

The present study evaluated postoperative reactions in adjacent teeth after the extraction of lower-level horizontal-impacted mandibular third molars using a T-shaped splitting method.

A total of 101 patients with lower-level horizontal impaction of mandibular third molars were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The impacted mandibular third molar was extracted using a T-shaped splitting method in group A (56 cases)，and the traditional two-section method was used in group B (45 cases)。Postoperative reactions，including temperature sensitivity，percussion pain and mobility in the adjacent teeth，were compared between the 2 groups at 1-week，2-week，and 1-month follow-up visits. The SPSS 13.0 software package was used for the statistical analysis.

The postoperative reactions of temperature sensitivity (χ_1w²= 11.81，χ_2w² = 17.43，P < 0.05)，percussion pain (χ_1w² = 8.70，χ_2w² = 4.75，P < 0.05)and mobility (χ_1w² = 4.50，χ_2w² = 7.10，P < 0.05)in adjacent teeth in group A were significantly less than those in group B at the 1-week and 2-week follow-up visits. The temperature sensitivity in adjacent teeth in group A was significantly less than that in group B at the 1-month follow-up visit (χ² = 7.10，P < 0.05)，but percussion pain and mobility in adjacent teeth disappeared in both groups.

The T-shaped splitting method for the extraction of mandibular lower-level horizontal impacted third molars can reduce the postoperative reactions in adjacent teeth.