Variables predictive of the intensity of postoperative pain following mandibular third molar surgery: a prospective study

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to identify the most important variables that predict the intensity of postoperative pain following lower third molar surgery. A unilateral 100 impacted lower third molar teeth were surgically removed under local anesthesia. Preoperative predictor variables were categorized as demographic, anatomic and radiographic, and operative variables. Evaluation of these variables was performed through personal data, extra and intra oral examination, and radiological examination, while the postoperative pain was recorded by the patient using a visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was conducted for all the variables to assess their effect on the intensity of postoperative pain. This study composed of one hundred patients;58 males (58%) and 42 females (42%) having 100 mandibular third molar removed surgically. The mean age of patients was 29.4±5.2. Results displayed an increase in postoperative pain related to increase of the patient's age, poor oral hygiene, unfavorable tooth morphology, proximity to the inferior alveolar canal, three sided flap design and increasing the operative time. Age, oral hygiene, anatomical and operative variables increase the risk of aggravating postoperative pain intensity following mandibular third molar surgery.