title: The piezoelectric and rotatory osteotomy technique in impacted third molar surgery: comparison of postoperative recovery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was the comparison of postoperative outcome in mandibular impacted third molars treated by piezoelectric surgery or by rotatory osteotomy technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients with impacted mandibular third molars were included in the study. Fifty patients were treated by rotatory osteotomy technique (group A) and 50 patients were treated by piezoelectric osteotomy technique (group B). Therapeutic protocol was the same for both groups. Twenty-four hours after surgery, 2 different parameters, facial swelling and trismus, were evaluated in both groups. A pair of compasses were used for the evaluation of facial swelling and trismus was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average surgery time was 17 minutes in group A, 23 minutes in group B; the mean facial swelling was 7.04 mm in group A, 4.22 mm in group B; trismus was 16.76 mm in group A, 12.52 mm in group B. Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction (P < .05) of postoperative facial swelling and trismus in group B; however, in this group, a statistically significant increased (P < .05 vs group A) surgery time was required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The piezoelectric osteotomy technique produced a reduced amount of facial swelling and trismus 24 hours after surgery, but a longer surgery time was required when compared with the rotatory osteotomy technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Surgery Specialities, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sortino
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pedullà
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Masoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult