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DownloadCoronectomy is the term used to describe the partial removal of a tooth. It means that the top part of a tooth (the crown) is removed whilst the root is left in place. Your surgeon may recommend this procedure when the removal of both the crown and root could cause damage to the nerve that supplies feeling to the lower lip and chin.
Most coronectomies are done on impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth – the reasons why these teeth might need removal are described in the Removal of Wisdom Teeth Information Leaflet. The nerve that supplies feeling to the lower lip and chin runs through the lower jawbone, close to the roots of the wisdom tooth. In some cases the nerve may be very close indeed and removal of the whole tooth could cause damage to the nerve. If this happens, you might be left with numbness of the lower lip and chin or rarely a permanent feeling of burning or intense pain instead of numbness. This could affect your quality of life greatly.
If your surgeon thinks there is a high risk that removal of the whole tooth could cause these problems, they may suggest a coronectomy. The aim is to remove the part of the tooth causing problems (the crown) whilst leaving the root in place. As the root is the part of the tooth closest to the nerve, leaving it undisturbed reduces
the risk of nerve damage.
In most cases your surgeon can assess your tooth using normal x-rays. These provide a 2-D (flat) view of the tooth and in most cases give enough information for your surgeon to know if the whole tooth can be removed safely.
In some cases your surgeon will want a more detailed view of the tooth and will recommend that you have a special scan. This is called Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and is like a 3-D x-ray. With this view your surgeon will be able to see a very detailed view of the relationship between the tooth and the nerve.
No. Decayed teeth or teeth with infection around the root tips aren’t suitable for coronectomy.
Your surgeon will make the area numb with an injection of local anaesthetic into the gum. A cut will be made around the tooth and the gum pulled back to expose it. A small amount of the jaw bone will be drilled away with a dental drill and a cut made in the tooth about one third of the way down from the top of the tooth. This will allow your surgeon to separate the top part of the tooth whilst leaving the root behind. The cut root surface is then trimmed and smoothed so it is below the level of the surrounding jawbone. The gum will be stitched back in place so that the root is completely covered. Surgery normally takes around 20 to 25 minutes.
You will need to take painkillers regularly. You will be given instructions on how to care for the surgical site. The stiches are almost always dissolving stitches that will fall out in around two weeks.
If you are worried and would like further advice, please do not hesitate to contact us. A doctor is available to deal with your concerns 24 hours a day.
During normal working hours, Monday to Friday 8am until 5pm please telephone the Maxillofacial clinic where your procedure was carried out.
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton: 01273 696955 extension 64067
Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath: 01444 441881 extension 68308
Maxillo facial secretaries for general queries: 01273 696955, extension 63695 or 64756.
For advice during evenings, weekends and on public holidays, our partner organisation, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead has a doctor available to assist with any concerns.
Queen Victoria Hospital: 01342 414000 extension 6635
Evening hours are Monday to Friday 5pm until 8am
Weekend hours are Friday at 5pm to Monday at 8am
Public holidays are 24 hours cover
Please ensure you have your patient reference number to hand when you contact us.
Information reproduced with kind permission of the British Association of Oral Surgery.
This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath
Disclaimer
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
Publication Date: May 2021
Review Date: February 2024