Third molar extraction in middle-aged and elderly patient

Extraction of impacted third molars is a routine procedure performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. However, extractions in middle-aged or elderly individuals are not easy, and there are several factors that need to be considered. These factors include decreased healing potential and the risk of complications increasing with age. In addition, third molars can often be fully or deeply impacted in middle-aged individuals, and pathologic changes, such as cysts, caries, or periodontitis of the adjacent second molar, can develop. Furthermore, the rate of ankylosis and systemic disease increases after middle age. It is considered that these factors acting alone or in combination increase the difficulty of extraction.