Sensibility and taste alterations after impacted lower third molar extractions. A prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence, severity and duration of lingual tactile and gustatory function impairments after lower third molar removal.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study with intra-subject measures of 16 patients undergoing lower third molar extractions. Sensibility and gustatory functions were evaluated in each subject preoperatively, one week and one month after the extraction, using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and 5 different concentrations of NaCl, respectively. Additionally, all patients filled a questionnaire to assess subjective perceptions.


RESULTS
Although patients did not perceive any sensibility impairments, a statistically significant decrease was detected when Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. This alteration was present at one week after the surgical procedure and fully recovered one month after the extraction. There were no variations regarding the gustatory function.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower third molar removal under local anesthesia may cause light lingual sensibility impairment. Most of these alterations remain undetected to patients. These lingual nerve injuries are present one week after the extraction and recover one month after surgery. The taste seems to remain unaffected after these procedures.
University of Barcelona Dental School, Cirugía Bucal e Implantología Bucofacial, Facultat d'Odontologia, Pavelló Govern, Despatx 2.9, Carrer Feixa LLarga s/n; 08907 L' Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain.
Lourdes
L
Ridaura-Ruiz
Rui
R
Figueiredo
Eduard
E
Valmaseda-Castellón
Leonardo
L
Berini-Aytés
Cosme
C
Gay-Escoda
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*