What is a common complication when extracting a disto-angular impacted tooth in older patients?

When extracting a disto-angular impacted tooth, particularly in older patients, one significant complication can be the presence of denser bone. As individuals age, the bone anatomy changes; older patients may exhibit increased bone density and sclerosis. This change can make surgical procedures, including extractions, more challenging. Denser bone often requires more effort and technique to adequately mobilize and extract the tooth, which can lead to increased surgical time and potential complications during the extraction process.

While other factors like difficult access, risk of infection, and recovery time can also play a role in dental extractions in older individuals, the specific challenge of denser bone directly impacts the extraction technique and outcomes, making it a more prevalent issue in this demographic.