title: Changes in quality of life after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar teeth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The decision to get impacted teeth removed is not straightforward because of the concerns about its possible outcome. Assessment of quality of life is now regarded as an essential component for assessing outcomes of dental health care. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of impacted third molar teeth surgery on a number of health related outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 72 patients undergoing surgical removal of their unilateral impacted mandibular third molar teeth were recruited to participate in this study. Patients were asked to complete two questionnaires, 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the 16-item UK Oral Health related Quality of Life measure questionnaire (OHQOLUK-16) daily for one week following surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant decrease in the mean OHQOLUK-16 score and OHIP-14 scores for the first five postoperative days. There were no significant differences in changes in the mean OHIP-14 scores or OHQOLUK-16 scores on postoperative day 6 and 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a significant deterioration in oral health related quality of life in the immediate postoperative period, which slowly returned to preoperative level by day 6. This information may be useful in creating realistic expectation for patients who are considering third molar surgery.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pharmacology, L.H.M.C, New Delhi, 110001 India.
authors.forename: Chopra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deepti
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Rehan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mehra
keywords: Oral health; Oral surgery; Surgical removal; Third molar surgery