The life quality after third molar surgery

Aim: The aims of this retrospective study were: first of all, to evaluate the patients’ perception of changes in oral health–related quality of life over a 2-month period after third molar surgery. Second aim was to compare the clinical outcome of performed oral surgery with evaluation the influence of factors affecting outcome. Material and Methods. A total of 30 consecutive healthy patients who presented with unilaterally or bilaterally impacted mandible third molar were included in this study. Four operators (in two mixed teams) removed the impacted third molars with buccal approach under local anesthesia. Standardized surgical and analgesic protocols were used (distobuccal or distolingual osteotomy and alveolectomy, without any tooth division technique using burs). Patients kept a diary of changes in life quality each postoperative day for 7 days. One week postoperatively the clinical outcome, postoperative pain and complications were recorded. Results. Patients perceived physical, social, and psychological changes in life quality after surgery. The clinical outcome and the wound healing showed much better results in the cases with Alvogyl application. Conclusion. The study concludes that third molar surgery is associated with changes in life quality. This has implications for understanding the value of third molar surgery from patients’ perspectives and in assessing health gain. Key words: impacted third molar, oral surgery