ALGORITHM FOR CHOOSING THE TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR IMPACTED THIRD MOLARS

Abstract

Impacted third molars remain one of the most common pathologies of the maxillofacial region and represent a significant clinical problem in modern oral surgery. According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of this condition among the adult population reaches 20–30%, while the choice of the optimal treatment strategy remains a subject of ongoing debate in contemporary dentistry. The issue of prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted teeth still lacks a unified approach, which determines the relevance of developing standardized clinical decision-making algorithms. This article presents a comprehensive approach to selecting the treatment strategy for impacted third molars based on the assessment of clinical, anatomical-topographic, and radiological criteria. Modern classifications of tooth impaction, risk factors for complications, indications and contraindications for surgical intervention, as well as the principles of dynamic patient follow-up are discussed. The proposed algorithm allows a differentiated approach to determining indications for surgical extraction or conservative management, minimizing the risk of postoperative complications and unjustified surgical interventions