Extraction of impacted third molars. A longitudinal prospective study on factors that affect postoperative recovery.

A longitudinal prospective trial was carried out on 146 patients to evaluate which factors can have an effect on postoperative recovery after extraction of impacted third molars or wisdom teeth. The following factors were considered: (1) age, (2) sex, (3) smoking habits, (4) use of the birth control pill, (5) previous history of pericoronitis, (6) degree of difficulty of the extraction, (7) expertise of the surgeon, (8) length of surgery, and (9) antibiotic prophylaxis. The following results were obtained and statistically significant differences were noted with respect to the pain in the context of (1) sex-males noted more pain on the 1st and 3rd days (p < 0.05) compared with females; (2) expertise of the surgeon--patients treated by surgeons with considerable or average expertise reported less pain on the first and third days (p < 0.05) compared with patients treated by surgeons with little expertise; and (3) age--a direct correlation was noted between age and pain (p < 0.05).