Gustatory function after third molar extraction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the severity and time course of taste changes after extraction of all 4 third molars.


METHODS
Taste function in 17 patients was measured before third molar surgery and at 1 month and 6 months after surgery. Two tests were administered: a whole-mouth, above-threshold test in which subjects sipped, expectorated, and then rated the intensities and identified the taste qualities of various solutions, and a localized test in which subjects rated and identified solutions painted with cotton swabs on different oral sites.


RESULTS
Intensity ratings for solutions in the whole-mouth test were reduced by approximately 14% for NaCl, citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride at 1 month after surgery and had not recovered by 6 months after surgery for citric acid (P<.02). The taste quality of NaCl was identified correctly less frequently after third molar extraction. Perceived taste intensity on discrete areas of the tongue was significantly reduced after surgery (P<.05). Patients with the most severely impacted molars gave the lowest taste intensity ratings to whole-mouth test solutions at 6 months after surgery (P<.02). In contrast, taste function in a group of subjects who received only local dental anesthesia was not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
Gustatory deficits occur after third molar extraction, persist for as long as 6 months after surgery, and appear to be associated with depth of impaction.
Shafer
D M
DM
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington 06030-3705, USA.
Frank
M E
ME
Gent
J F
JF
Fischer
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019343:Citric Acid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011803:Quinine; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery
D019343:Citric Acid; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose; D011803:Quinine