title: Patients' retrospective preference for extraction of asymptomatic third molars.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the personal utility of asymptomatic third molar removal in military patients. From 1 to 30 days (mean = 7.4) after the extraction of one or more third molars, 100 returning patients (all male, mean age = 20.1) were asked to respond to hypothetical questions concerning the extraction of asymptomatic third molars. If the likelihood of third molars ever having to be removed was given as 10%, 50%, and 100%, then 45%, 61%, and 88% of responses, respectively, showed preference for immediate extraction. When respondents chose to delay treatment until there was a problem, no likelihood group would tolerate more than 2.77 additional days of post-extraction pain before changing their preference to immediate extraction. 87% of respondents preferred extractions prior to a deployment which would make treatment delivery difficult, and 89% prior to becoming a civilian at which time treatment might no longer be free. The results indicate general acceptance of the strategy of prophylactic third molar removal among a sample of military patients who have undergone pre-treatment counseling and the surgical procedure. A question remains as to the personal utility that might be measured prior to surgery.
authors: Clinical Investigations Department, Naval Dental Research Institute, Great Lakes, IL 60088-5259.
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Cohen
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Arthur
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Rodden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D009326:Naval Medicine; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010358:Patient Participation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D014098:Toothache / Q000209:etiology