Comparison of morbidity following the removal of mandibular third molar by lingual split, surgical bur and simplified split bone technique.

BACKGROUND: The methods frequently used for surgical removal of impacted third molars are bur technique, lingual split and simplified split bone technique. The morbidity rates following the use of these different surgical techniques are not completely resolved. The use of a surgical method with minimum postoperative complication is needed. AIM: This study was conducted to compare the morbidity rates of the three different surgical techniques and their efficacy with regard to postoperative pain, swelling, labial and lingual sensation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients with a symptomatic impacted mandibular third molar with the age range of 14-62 years were divided into three groups of 30 patients each for surgical bur technique, lingual split technique and simplified split bone technique. All patients were operated by the same surgeon under local anesthesia (2% lignocaine) in the dental chair. The severity of pain and swelling was recorded on a visual analogue scale and the presence or absence of sensory disturbance at 6, 24, 48 hours and seven days after operation. The pain was scored according to a visual analogue 4-point scale. Patients were asked to indicate which side was more swollen and to record this assessment on the swelling scale. RESULTS: Lingual split technique was more painful than the other two techniques. Surgical bur technique had more swelling than the other two techniques. Labial and lingual sensations were not altered in all the techniques. CONCLUSION: The simplified split bone technique had the least morbidity than the lingual split and surgical bur technique.