This study shows that the root migration was less in coronectomy with adjunctive guided bone regeneration (GBR) than to coronectomy alone. Coronectomy with adjunctive GBR will be useful in reducing the chance of long-term (3 years or more) root exposure and need for a following second operation to remove the exposed root.

Root migration is one of the most common complications during the molar coronectomy, and a portion of the root may be exposed in the oral cavity. The present study was conducted to distinguish the root migration rate and surgical morbidities after third molar coronectomy with or without adjunctive GBR.

Patients with bilateral lower third molars close to their inferior alveolar nerve had to go through a split-mouth randomised clinical trial. In the study group, the individuals with one side of the lower third molars received coronectomy with adjunctive GBR, and the control group obtained coronectomy alone. The cases were subjected to a 2-year follow-up. Various factors, specifically; surgical morbidities, root migration, adjoining second molar periodontal regeneration  and root exposure rate were examined.

A total of 48 patients, i.e., 19 males and 29 females with a mean age of 2.6 years were selected for the study. No root exposure was noted in the review period. At all points, no considerable changes in infection rate and pain were observed between the two groups. From 3 months onwards, the root migration was found to be notably less in the study group than the control group. In the study group, the root migrated only 1 mm (SD 1.3 mm) in 2 years while in the control group; it migrated about 3.5 mm (S.D.1.9 mm). Between the groups, no changes were seen in the periodontal attachment regeneration.

The study authors established reduced migration of root in patients who underwent coronectomy with adjunctive GBR as compared to the patients who underwent coronectomy alone. Both the groups showed similar surgical morbidities and periodontal regeneration of adjacent second molars.