Quality of life following mandibular third molar coronectomy in older patients
Mandibular third molar coronectomy may benefit oral health quality of life among older adults.
In a study published in Gerodontology, researchers examined the postoperative oral health quality of life of 30 patients older than 60 years. They assessed a range of factors — including the Dutch version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14, pain, swelling, limited mouth opening, chewing ability, infection, impaction pattern, state of eruption, presence of preoperative pathology and patient health status.
The researchers found that Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and pain scores were high on the first day postsurgery; however, these scores declined over the course of the week. Further, compared with those who underwent coronectomy on a partially erupted tooth, those who underwent the procedure on a fully impacted tooth had higher Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores on the first day following the surgery.
The findings suggested that mandibular third molar coronectomy may be an effective treatment option in this patient population.
Read more: Gerodontology
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