A high-precision, fully guided micro-ablation system has been developed to eliminate the postoperative problems normally associated with third molar formation.
Third molar removal is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, the highly invasive nature of third molar surgery results in a predictable range of painful complications. TriAgenics has developed an ablation technology specifically designed to eliminate these complications by preventing third molar formation.
In recent editions of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TriAgenics describes animal trials using a new preventive-care procedure called fully guided third molar tooth bud ablation (3TBA). This one-minute treatment was demonstrated to be 100% effective at inducing complete molar agenesis with no meaningful side effects. Based on animal data, there will be no recovery time. All postoperative complications, such as dry socket, infections, swelling, bruising, etc, are expected to be eliminated.1, 2
TriAgenics’ Zero3 TBA treatment system uses a patented ablation generator, surgical guide, and probe to selectively ablate tooth bud tissue inside the bony crypt of the tooth bud. This high-precision system is designed to accurately shape and size each ablation, as well as control the thermal dose for each treatment site. This ensures that no significant collateral tissue damage occurs outside the confines of the bony crypt.
Figure 1a shows a soft-tissue ablation pattern common to medical tumor ablation technology. When using this technology, the zone of ablation hyperextends along the shaft of the medical microwave ablation probe before the desired width of the prescribed ablation zone can be delivered (yellow dotted line). If used to ablate tooth buds, this oblong ablation pattern would result in a visible 6- to 8-mm-diameter burn in the patient’s oral mucosal tissue.
Figure 1a. A soft-tissue ablation pattern common to medical tumor ablation technology.
Figure 1b. The spherical ablation pattern delivered by TriAgenics’ Zero3 TBA micro-ablation technology.
TriAgenics’ Zero3 TBA micro-ablation technology is designed to deliver spherical zones of ablation. Ablation margins are prescribed with 0.1 mm planning resolution to selectively ablate the tooth bud tissue inside the bony crypt of the targeted tooth bud. Figure 1b shows the spherical ablation pattern delivered by Zero3 TBA. The ablation margins are prescribed to fit inside the targeted zone of ablation (yellow dotted line) with no meaningful tissue damage outside the prescribed ablation zone. There is no potential for nerve damage or oral mucosal tissue burns with this level of precision.
TriAgenics’ Zero3 technology eliminates the possibility for collateral tissue damage by limiting peak tissue temperatures. Laser medical ablation technology used for solid tumor ablation is designed to rapidly heat tissues above 100°C at the tip of the probe. When tissue temperatures exceed 100°C, steam is generated, and this leads to harmful tissue charring (Figure 2a). The presence of charred tissue in a wound blocks the body’s ability to heal normally and may result in thermal effect scarring.
Figure 2a. When tissue temperatures exceed 100°C, steam is generated. This leads to harmful tissue charring.
Figure 2b. Zero3 TBA technology distributes thermal energy without hotspots. Peak tissue temperatures do not exceed 90°C.
TriAgenics’ Zero3 technology is designed to ensure peak tissue temperatures do not exceed 90°C (Figure 2b). The system uniformly distributes thermal energy doses within the ablation zone with no hotspots. When the potential for harmful tissue charring is eliminated, rapid bony ingrowth occurs. Histological and radiographic analysis during TriAgenics’ animal trials revealed complete bony ingrowth with no thermal effect scarring just 28 days following treatment.
TriAgenics’ tooth bud ablation system is designed to safely deliver prescribed ablation margins without affecting nearby structures that are normally at risk during traditional third molar surgery. Figure 3 shows the prescribed placement of a spherical zone of ablation in tooth bud No. 32.
Figure 3. The prescribed spherical zone of ablation in tooth bud No. 32.
For more information, visit TriAgenics’ website at triagenics.com.
REFERENCES
- Colby L. Fully guided third molar tooth bud ablation in pigs. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Sep;80(9):1522-1533. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2022.05.006
- Colby L, Watson D. Fully guided tooth bud ablation in pigs results in complete tooth bud removal and molar agenesis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 Apr;81(4):456-466. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2022.12.009
