Post-Operative Complications Following Third Molar Extraction in Qassim Region Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Third molar surgery is one of the most common dental procedures that can be done in the outpatient clinic. Extraction complications can be very mild, like discomfort or mild pain, or severe, like a mandibular fracture. The study aims to investigate postoperative complications after a third molar extraction in the oral surgery dental clinic at Qassim University. This retrospective study analyzed postoperative complication rates following third molar extractions performed at dental clinics in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, between August 2022 and March 2023. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, and comparative analysis evaluated relationships between complications and factors like gender, age, and surgical aspects. Ethical approval was granted, and sensitive patient information remained confidential. A total of 199 third morals were extracted from 70 patients with an average of 2.8 teeth per patient. More mandibular third molars were removed (55.8%) from the patients who participated compared to maxillary third molars extractions (44.2%). The results indicated that the rate of postoperative complications ranged from 2.5% to 64.7%. The most frequent postoperative complications were pain (64.7%), followed by swelling or edema (55.5%), trismus (32.8%), and dry socket (9.2%). This study’s postoperative complication rate of 10.4% following third molar surgery was consistent with other reports. Younger patients and mandibular extractions presented higher complication risks. Regional outcome data can guide clinicians locally to optimize preoperative planning and techniques, reducing risks for those undergoing this standard dental procedure.