[Complications of surgical wisdom tooth removal of the maxilla. A clinical and roentgenologic study of 1,013 patients with statistical evaluation].

In a retrospective study the condition of the alveolar process in the region of the maxillary tuberosity after operative removal of impacted upper third molars was evaluated. Basically the clinical records of 1013 patients were explored. 371 patients were checked clinically, from 355 patients X-ray examinations were taken. There was at least one year between operation and follow-up examination. Pain was the reason for removal of the upper wisdom teeth in 32.9% of the patients. The most common intraoperative complications were oro-antral fistulae (11.3%). Most of the patients 70.9%) showed regular wound healing. Postoperative complications were seen more often and for a longer period in young female patients. In most cases (87.7%) there was a complete bony regeneration of the alveolar process in the area of the maxillary tuberosity. Contrary to our expectations cyst formations were very rare (0.59%).