Hemisected mandibular molars have a higher frequency of complications than those treated with implant therapy. When the mandibular molars are periodontally involved, treatment decisions include hemisection of the molar and extraction of the tooth, replacing it with an implant. A study in the March issue of the Journal of Oral Implantology evaluates long-term outcomes of these 2 treatment options in a private practice setting. The study examined 2 groups of patients: 32 patients in one group had a total of 56 mandibular molars treated by hemisection; 28 patients in the other group had received 36 implants to replace mandibular molars. Patients were followed for a 4-year period of maintenance after the initial treatment. All those included in the study had grade III furcation involvement of first or second mandibular molars. While most treatments were successful, a greater risk of failure was noted among hemisected molars. Eighteen of the hemisected teeth had complications, and 12 of those were nonsalvageable. In the group of implants, 4 experienced complications and only one was considered nonsalvageable. In both groups, those teeth or implants that experienced complications presented a larger percent loss of clinical attachment level per year. The full text of this article, “Mandibular Molar Root Resection Versus Implant Therapy: A Retrospective Nonrandomized Study,” is available at allenpress.com/pdf/ORIM35.2_10.1563-1548-1336-35.2.pdf

(Source: Journal of Oral Implantology, Allen Press, news release, April 27, 2009)