Patients’ perception of gustatory changes after lower molar extractions

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Gustatory changes in the form of loss of taste or alteration of taste or lingual paresthesia are often encountered post-extraction of molar teeth. The aim of this study was to assess patients' perception of gustatory changes/taste alterations following lower molar extractions in female patients attending the OPD (dentistry-clinics) at College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive new female adult patients indicated for extraction due to grossly decayed mandibular molars between the age of 19-45 were included in the study. These patients were evaluated using a self-administered interview to assess the lingual tactile and gustatory function impairments immediately after surgical procedures/extraction involving the lower molar region. They were re-evaluated seven days and one month after the surgical procedure. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to assess the statistical difference between patient responses at baseline (before the procedure), seven days, and one month after the surgical procedure. Tukey HSD post hoc multiple comparisons were made to find the group that is significantly different from others. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the responses at baseline, seven days, and one month after the surgical procedure concerning all the questions asked except Q2 and Q7 that dealt with the presence of tingling sensation on the tongue and ability to continue with their usual diet after the dental procedure, respectively. Conclusion: There was only a transient change in a small proportion of patients in the lingual tactile and gustatory function after surgical extraction of mandibular molars, which was self-limiting and resolved by one month postoperatively.