Title: Quality of life after extraction of mandibular wisdom teeth: A systematic review

Abstract

The extraction of mandibular third molar (MTM) represents the most frequent surgical procedure performed in oral surgery with a percentage of 5 million per year in the United States. Different complications are encountered in the majority of the population in the first days following this extraction such as alveolitis, pain, trismus, edema as well as a difficulty swallowing. These complications might lead to deterioration in the quality of life (QoL) during the immediate postoperative period. QoL can be defined as “a state of well-being” which is based on two components. The first is the ability to perform daily activities that reflect physical, psychological and social well-being. The second is the patient’s satisfaction with the level of functioning, control of disease, and treatment-related symptoms. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of MTM extraction on a patient’s QoL. Methods: An electronic search was conducted through September 2021 on MEDLINE database, ScienceDirect, Ebsco, Scopus and Google Scholar to collect sufficient articles relevant to the subject. Data were extracted and analyzed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines Data were extracted from selected studies including study type, sample size and characteristics, duration of the observation after removal of MTM, questionnaire used for evaluation of QoL and the result. From 107 studies, 40 representing 4990 cases met the inclusion criteria. The QoL was deteriorated but different factors contributed to his improvement. Different instruments have been used in these studies: OHIP-14, OHQoLUK, HRQOL,EQ-5D-3L QOL, and UW-QOL. The extraction of mandibular wisdom teeth has a negative effect on QoL during the first postoperative days but improved progressively by following the medical instructions given by the dental surgeon.

+1 (506) 909-0537