title: Third molar removal and orofacial pain: a population-based survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the current study was to investigate whether there was a relationship between a history of third molar removal and the prevalence of orofacial pain in a sample of the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted in South East Cheshire, United Kingdom (81% participation rate). Information was collected using postal questionnaires (n = 1510) and dental records (n = 809).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants who reported third molar extractions were more likely to report orofacial pain (RR = 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 - 1.65). Participants with a more recent history of extractions (< 8 years ago) as recorded in dental records were more likely to report orofacial pain compared to those who had all third molar present (RR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.10 - 3.32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research suggests that self-reported third molar removal is linked to self-reported orofacial pain, however evidence from one study is not sufficient to give an unequivocal answer.
authors.affiliation: Aberdeen Pain Research Collaboration, Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tatiana V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.affiliation: Population Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney Sydney Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Blinkhorn
authors.affiliation: Dental Centre, H M S Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Manchester United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coulthard
keywords: epidemiology.; orofacial pain; third molar; tooth extraction; wisdom tooth