Incidence and clinical features of delayed-onset infections after extraction of lower third molars.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the incidence and clinical features of delayed-onset wound infections after lower third molar extractions in an outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Retrospective forward study of 958 lower third molar extractions in the Oral Surgery and Implantology Department of the School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona (Spain).


RESULTS
Fourteen delayed-onset wound infections were recorded after suture removal (1.5% of the extractions). These infections usually developed 3-5 weeks after extraction. Half of the cases presented a radiolucency around the crown of the third molar. In most cases, ostectomy (13/14) and tooth sectioning (11/14) had been made.


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed infections were a rare postoperative complication of lower third molars extractions. Nevertheless, patients should be warned that infection can still occur several weeks after the surgical procedure.
Figueiredo
Rui
R
School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Valmaseda-Castellón
Eduard
E
Berini-Aytés
Leonardo
L
Gay-Escoda
Cosme
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D016008:Statistical Distributions; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*