ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to compare the influence of primary and secondary closure of the surgical wound on postoperative pain and swelling after removal of impacted mandibular third molars. This is randomized clinical trial study 10 patients with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were included in the present study. All the patients underwent surgical removal of the bilaterally impacted teeth at the same appointment. Primary closure [group I] was performed on one side and secondary closure [group II] was performed on the other side. All the patients were assessed for pain, trismus and swelling using the visual analog scale, and the data were collected and analyzed with the paired t test after 2 and 7 days. The swelling and pain in group I was greater than that in group II, with a statistically significant difference [P<0.005]. The trismus in group I was greater than that in group II, with a statistically significant difference after 7 days [P=0.03]. Our results have shown that the patients in the secondary closure group experienced a significantly lesser amount of pain, trismus and swelling postoperatively compared the primary closure group
ABSTRACT
Early diagnosis and treatment of TMD can significantly reduce future complications of this condition. General dental practitioners can play pivotal role in early detection of such patients by conducting careful initial evaluation. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to evaluate the TMD knowledge of general dentist practicing in Tehran, in 2005. Using cross-sectional study design, a total of 400 dentists practicing in the north, east, west and central parts of Tehran were randomly selected for participation in this investigation. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic information of dentist, including: age, sex, location of practice, type of services provided; as well as the name, location of dental school where one graduated from. The second part of the questionnaire asked about dentists' knowledge on TMD and related factors. The levels of reported dentists' knowledge were classified into four categories: excellent, good, moderate and low. The relationship between dentists' knowledge about TMD and relevant factors were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods as well as multiple regression analysis. The study sample included 173 females and 227 males [n=400], with average age of 38.44 years. The level of TMD knowledge was excellent for 10% of respondents, good for 38.75%, moderate for 38.75% and weak for 12.5%. The TMD related knowledge was excellent in 20.25%, good in 41%, moderate in 29%, and weak in 9.75%. In search of relationship between individual characteristics and knowledge of TMD and related factors, a significant relationship was detected between the educational institution [university] and the duration of study until graduation, [P<0.0001]. Also, foreign graduates demonstrated the maximum TMD knowledge compared with provincial college graduates who had minimum knowledge. The TMD knowledge of dentist practicing in Tehran is adequate for early detection of abnormal conditions