Does Pederson Difficulty Index Accurately Predict the Difficulty of Mandibular Third Molar Extraction?

Abstract

Abstract Context: To determine the relationship between the Pederson difficulty index and the modified Parant scale and to assess the effectiveness of the Pederson difficulty index in predicting the difficulty of mandibular third molar extractions. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study recruited participants with indications for third molar extractions. Pederson’s difficulty index was used to evaluate the anticipated difficulty of preoperative mandibular third molar extraction. Surgical extraction of impacted third molars was done under local anesthesia and patients were then assessed postoperatively with the Modified Parant Scale. Methods: In this study, 85 participants indicated for surgical extraction of mandibular third molars under local anesthesia were enrolled between February 2018 and July 2018. The relationship between Pederson’s difficulty index modified Parant scale and duration of extraction was evaluated. Statistical Analysis Used: Sociodemographic variables of study participants were summarized with descriptive statistics. Student’s T-test was utilized for mean differences between groups and correlations were computed between Pederson and modified Parant scale. Results: This study comprised 85 participants with a mean age of 25.8 years ± 4.6, showing no significant difference across genders (P = 0.87). Pederson difficulty index demonstrated a sensitivity of 46.4% and a specificity of 89.5% and a moderate correlation (0.35, P < 0.001) was observed between Pederson difficulty index and surgery duration, ditto, between Pederson and modified Parant scores (0.36, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study underscores the importance of pre-operative assessment for mandibular third molar extraction, highlighting the Pederson Difficulty Index’s moderate predictive value but emphasizing concerns about its sensitivity.