Psychological impact of third molar surgery: a 1-month prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively examine the psychological impact of surgical third molar removal, and to identify possible psychological risk factors for the development of dental anxiety and symptoms of psychological trauma.


METHODS
Patients (N = 71) scheduled for surgical mandibular third molar removal were assessed regarding operative and psychological variables immediately postoperatively and at 1-week and 1-month follow-up.


RESULTS
The emotional impact of the surgical procedure appeared to be modest. Only a small proportion of respondents reported a significant increase in dental anxiety or posttraumatic stress (4.3%) at 1-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that surgical removal of a third molar by use of local anesthesia, without sedation or general anesthesia, has minimal impact on the development of dental anxiety or symptoms of psychological trauma. Replication of the findings in samples with higher preoperative anxiety levels and with other types of surgical procedures is warranted.
de Jongh
Ad
A
Department of Social Dentistry and Behavioural Sciences, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.de.jongh@acta.nl
van Wijk
Arjen J
AJ
Lindeboom
Jerome A
JA
D000328:Adult; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult