Morbidity of third molar extraction in patients between 12 and 18 years of age.

OBJECTIVE An analysis is made of the incidence of complications following third molar surgical extraction in patients between 12 and 18 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHOD A retrospective study was conducted of 390 surgical extractions of upper and lower third molars in 173 patients operated upon under locoregional anesthesia during the year 2000 in the Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology of Barcelona University Dental School (Spain). The patients were divided into three age groups (A: 12-14 years, B: 15-16 years, C: 17-18 years). The reason for extraction, the degree of dental development, and third molar position, angle and impaction were recorded. Finally, the association of these variables to the appearance of postoperative complications was analyzed. RESULTS Most patients were females (66.9%), and the age group in which most extractions were carried out (62.8%) corresponded to Group C (17-18 years). The main reason for extraction was orthodontist indication (40.5%), closely followed by prophylaxis (39.5%). The existence of clinical manifestations was an indication for extraction in 20% of cases. The postoperative complications rate after the extraction of the global 390 molars was 15.6%. In Groups A, B and C the complication risks were 17.4%, 19% and 13.7%, respectively. All complications were reversible and of short duration. One case each of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia and lingual nerve paresthesia was recorded, which subsided after one and two months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS There were no significant differences in complications between the three age groups. An increased tendency towards complications was observed in females, and the percentage of postoperative problems increased.