Germectomy or delayed removal of mandibular impacted third molars: the relationship between age and incidence of complications.

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare complications and side effects after removal of 1,500 mandibular impacted third molar teeth in three age groups.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The sample comprised 868 patients, 462 women and girls and 406 men and boys aged 9 to 67 years. The patients were divided according to age into the following three groups: group A, aged 9 to 16 years; group B, aged 17 to 24 years; group C, older than 24 years of age.

RESULTS

The incidence of complications and side effects was 2.6% in group A, 2.8% in group B, and 7.4% in group C. All complications were temporary except in one instance of mandibular nerve paresthesia that occurred in a group C patient, in whom symptoms were still present 25 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study showed no significant difference in the complication rate between groups A and B, but complications significantly increased in group C.