Articles

<b>Objective</b><b>:</b> The study investigated the impacts of third molar (M3) extraction on periodontal status of adjacent second molar (M2) and oral health-related Quality of life (QoL). <b>Methods:</b> 272 cases with M3 were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, each of 136 cases. Questionnaire survey evaluated demographic features of the subjects. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PLI) and conscious symptoms of adjacent teeth of the M3 were detected in both groups at baseline (T0), 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2) and 6 months (T3) after treatment. The impacts of QoL were evaluated using OHIP-14 to measure total scores and various items of OHIP-14 at different observation point. <b>Results: </b>The percentage of swelling and toothache in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group at T1, T2 and T3. Significant differences could be seen in GI and PLI between the treatment and control groups at T2 and T3. The total score of OHIP-14 in T2 and T3 was significantly lower than that in T0 and T1 in the treatment group. The 14 items scores and the percentage of positive reaction in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group at T2 and T3. <b>Conclusion</b>: M3 extraction had significant impacts on the periodontal status of the second molar and quality of life. This study would provide an important basis for the prophylactic removal of M3 in clinical work.