Staged removal of horizontally impacted third molars to reduce risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury

Extraction of impacted mandibular third molars (M3s) may cause temporary or permanent neurosensorial disturbances of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). Although the incidence of this complication is low, a great range of variability has been reported in the literature. Several methods to reduce or eliminate this complication have been proposed, such as orthodontic-assisted extraction, extraction of the second molar, or intentional odontoectomy. The purpose is to present a novel approach with an original tecnique for a riskless extraction of impacted mandibular M3s in contact with the IAN.