Per- and post-operative variables of mandibular third-molar surgery by four general practitioners and one oral surgeon

Abstract

Per- and post-operative indicators in 25 patients who had lower third-molar surgery performed by 4 general practitioners (GP) in their own practices were compared with those of a control group of 25 patients operated on by an oral surgeon. The preoperative variables age; sex; general health; use of medications, alcohol, and tobacco; and depth, position, and presence of infection of the third molar were considered in individual matching of the patients. The operations performed by the GPs lasted 17.9 min (p = 0.0001) longer than those of the oral surgeon. Increased rates of postoperative alveolitis (p = 0.03) and secondary healing (p = 0.0005) were found in the GP patient group, as was a tendency for increased postoperative pain and consumption of strong analgesics. The number of days unable to work was 1.9 in the GP group, compared with 0.6 in the surgeon group (p = 0.0012). No differences in swelling and trismus were found.