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Oral Surgery · single question

At which stage of root formation is a mandibular third molar EASIEST to extract?

  1. One-quarter to early root formation
  2. One-half to two-thirds root formation
  3. Fully formed root
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Correct answer: A. One-quarter to early root formation

  • A. Correct. Early in development the roots are short/incomplete, so removal is simplest (germectomy); some texts favor the 1/3–2/3 window for ideal balance, but the easiest mechanical removal is with minimal root formation.
  • B. At one-half to two-thirds root, removal is considered the ideal compromise for healing but is more difficult than early-root extraction.
  • C. A fully formed, often curved/ankylosed root is the most difficult to remove.

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