Changes in Periodontal Status after Removal of Symptomatic Third Molars

Partrick, Maura H.

Changes in Periodontal Status after Removal of Symptomatic Third Molars Public Deposited

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March 20, 2019

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Partrick, Maura H.
- Affiliation: School of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics

Abstract

Subjects and Methods: Healthy subjects (ASA I, II) with minor pericoronitis symptoms affecting mandibular 3rd molars excluding those who used tobacco or antibiotics, were enrolled in an IRB-approved study. Full mouth periodontal probing was conducted at 6 sites per tooth at 2 time points: enrollment and post-surgery. A periodontal probing depth (PD)>4mm was considered an indicator variable for periodontal inflammatory disease. Patients at enrollment were stratified into two groups based on at least one distal of 2nd molar (D2M) PD≥ 4mm or none, and at least one PD≥ 4mm on probing sites on teeth more anterior in the mouth, the principal explanatory explanatory variables for these analyses at both the subject and jaw levels. Outcome variables post-surgery were the frequency of subjects detected with at least one PD>4mm or none, and the number and the extent (% possible probing sites) of PD>4mm on D2M and on teeth more anterior in the mouth. Results: Median age for 39 subjects was 22 years (IQ 20.2-25.8). Fifty-nine percent subjects were male; 62% were Caucasian. Significantly fewer subjects post-surgery, 20%, had at least one D2M PD>4mm as compared to 92% subjects at enrollment (P<0.001). Removal of 3rd molars reduced the extent (% possible) of subjects total number of probing sites >4mm, 4.4 to 0.5, and the median number of PD>4mm for the D2M, 2 (IQR 2-3) to 0 (IQR 0-0), and for teeth more anterior in the mouth, 2 (IQR 0-5) to 0 (IQR 0-1). Conclusion: Removal of 3rd molars in subjects with minor pericoronitis symptoms may improve periodontal health on the distal of 2nd molars and on teeth more anterior in the mouth.

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