What impact has third molar surgery on the quality of life

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate patients' perceptions of changes in health related quality of life (HRQoL) over a twelve week period following third molar surgery. Methods: Health related quality of life measures, New 15D^©, was administered to the study group prior to surgery. Standardized surgical and analgesic protocols were employed. Patients kept a diary of changes in life quality each postoperative day for seven days and they were contacted four and twelve weeks following surgery. Results: One hundred and six patients participated in this prospective study. HRQoL measure identified a significant deterioration in quality of life in the immediate postoperative period, during the first week (P<0.05). However, there was an improvement in HRQOL compared to preoperative status four weeks (P<0.05) and twelve weeks (P<0.05) postoperatively. Conclusions: The study concludes that there were significant improvements in quality of life following third molar surgery. However, in the immediate postoperative period patients experienced deterioration in HRQoL. Patients with symptomatic rather than asymptomatic third molars were more likely to benefit, in terms of improvement in quality of life, from third molar surgery.

Keywords: Quality, life, third molar, surgery. Running title: What impact has third molar surgery