This systematic review aimed to review the literature on the coronectomy technique and evaluate the incidence of success and complications as a surgical approach for inferior third molars. Online databases were searched for data on the frequency of inferior alveolar nerve damage, lingual nerve damage, root migration, pain, infection, dry socket, and extraction of the remaining root, and data on the necessity of reintervention were also extracted. Randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, and prospective and retrospective studies with or without the control group were intercepted. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CDR 42020135485). Sixteen papers analyzed 2176 coronectomies in total, and only five of them were judged as appropriate according to methodological quality assessment. The incidence of inferior alveolar nerve injury was documented in 0.59% of the procedures, lingual nerve injury in 0.22%, infection 3.95%, dry socket 1.12%, extraction of the root 5.28%, and reintervention 1.13%. The pain was the most reported, in 22.04% of the population. This study provides an overview of the clinical success and complications of coronectomy, and their prevalence. A coronectomy may be considered a low-risk procedure and an option for treatment to avoid potential damage to nervous structures. However, patients should still undergo a full screening and evaluation of postsurgical procedures.
Keywords: coronectomy; inferior alveolar nerve; intentional partial odontectomy; mandibular third molar; nerve injury; wisdom tooth.