AAOMS outcomes study on third molars

Abstract

Third molar surgery is among the most frequently performed procedures undertaken by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). The purpose of this investigation was to complement the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons’ (AAOMS) Third Molar Clinical Trial in assessing the frequency of complications of third molar surgery, both intra-operatively and post-operatively, for patients 25 years of age or greater. This prospective study evaluated patients, 25 years of age or older, who were to undergo third molar surgery by OMSs practicing in the United States. The predictor variables were categorized as demographic, chronic conditions, medical risk factors, preoperative clinical description of third molars, intraoperative and post-operative complications, as well as quality of life issues (days of work missed or normal activity curtailed). The sample was provided by 63 surgeons, and was composed of 4,648 patients with 16,664 third molars who were 25 years of age or older of which 10,139 third molars were removed. Alveolar osteitis was the most frequently encountered post-operative problem (0.17–10.23%). Postoperative inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia/paresthesia occurred with a frequency of 0.45–0.69%, while lingual nerve anesthesia/paresthesia was calculated as 0.11%. All other complications also occurred with a frequency of less than 1%. The findings of this study indicate that third molar surgery in patients 25 years of age or older is associated with minimal morbidity, low incidence of post-operative complications, and minimal impact on the patient’s quality of life. References Blakey GH, White RP Jr, Offenbacher S, et al: Clinical/biological outcomes of treatment for pericoronitis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 54:1150, 1996 Shugars DA, Benson K, White RP Jr, et al: Developing a measure of patient perceptions of short-term outcomes of third molar surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 54:1402, 1996 Conrad SM, Blakey GH, Shugars DA, et al: Patients’ perception of recovery following third molar surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 57:1288, 1999