The present paper reports the results of the retrospective analysis of the errors and complications associated with the surgical treatment of the patients presenting with retention and dystopia of the lower third molars based on the materials collected in the Outpatient Department of the Central Stomatological Polyclinic, Russian Federal Security Service. It was shown that the extraction of the lower third molars results in a deep surgical wound containing soft tissue and bone components. Its healing proceeds under conditions of pre-existing chronic inflammation caused by bacterial infestation and compromised blood clotting. According to the universally accepted classification of surgical wounds, such wounds are categorized as "conventionally clean" or "contaminated". The surgical risks and probability of complications were estimated during the intraoperative, early, intermediate, and late postoperative periods (0-48 hours, 3-8 days, and up to 30 days after surgery).