Evaluation of the Costs and Relative Effectiveness of Alternative Strategies for the Removal of Mandibular Third Molars

Abstract

AbstractDecision analysis is used to compare the cost and disability of alternative treatment strategies for asymptomatic mandibular third molars. The analysis shows that extracting only those third molars that remain impacted and become pathologically involved is always associated with less expected cost and disability than prophylactic removal of asymptomatic wisdom teeth.