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Introduction: In this prospective study, we evaluated patients' perceptions of recovery after orthodontic premolar extractions., Methods: Thirty patients (18 girls, 12 boys, mean age 14.6 +/- 3.8 years) were given a health-related quality of life questionnaire to be completed each postoperative day (POD) for 7 days. The questionnaire was designed to assess each patient's perception of recovery: pain, oral function, general activity measures, and other variables. The impact of possible predictor variables, such as age, sex, length of surgical procedure, number of simultaneous extractions, and time during the day, was assessed., Results: Severe pain (16.7%, 3.3%) and consumption of analgesics (70%, 13.2%) declined dramatically from POD 1 to POD 2. Improvements in oral function and other symptoms were evident by POD 2. Absence from school resembled interference in daily activities (POD 2). Age was the most significant predictor variable, with results showing delayed recoveries for patients older than 15 years. The most striking differences were reported for enjoying food (P <.05), taste (P <.05), and food stagnation (P <.05). The number of extractions performed at the same appointment had no affect on posttreatment recovery., Conclusions: This study was designed to provide baseline health-related quality of life information with which to compare other surgical procedures frequently needed in orthodontic treatment, such as removal of third molars and exposure of impacted teeth. Additionally, it provides information for patients and clinicians on postoperative recovery after premolar orthodontic extractions.

This prospective study evaluated patients' perceptions of recovery after surgical exposure of impacted teeth treated with a closed-eruption surgical-orthodontic technique. Twenty-nine patients (16 female, 13 male; mean age, 16 +/- 2.8 years) were given a health-related quality of life questionnaire to be completed each postoperative day (POD) for 7 days. The questionnaire was designed to assess the patient's perception of recovery: pain, oral function, general activity, and other parameters. The impact of possible predictor variables, such as age, sex, length of surgical procedure, tooth location, height of impaction, and need for bone removal were assessed. Severe pain (27.6%, 13.8%, 3.4%) and consumption of analgesics (76%, 41%, 17%) declined gradually over the first 3 PODs. Improvement in oral function and other symptoms was evident by PODs 3 and 4. Absence from school outweighed interference in daily activity by 3 days (POD 6 vs POD 3). Buccolingual tooth location was the most significant predictor variable, with results showing a delayed recovery for patients with buccally impacted teeth. The most striking difference was reported with regard to swelling (P <.0001), followed by mouth opening (P =.008) and speech (P =.05). When the surgical procedure lasted 30 minutes or longer, there was prolonged recovery from pain (P =.01). This study provides information to patients and clinicians on postoperative recovery after surgical exposure of impacted teeth by the closed-eruption surgical-orthodontic technique.