Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Changes Following Third Molar Surgery in a Jordanian Population : Effect of Demographic and Clinical Factors on the Immediate Postoperative Period

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) changes following third molar surgery, and investigate demographic and clinical variables’ effect on (OHRQOL) in the first postoperative week. Methods: 45 subjects had surgical removal of lower third molar/s by one surgeonat Jordan University hospital from March 2011 to November 2011, following a standardized protocol. Patients’ demographics and clinical data were recorded. (OHRQOL) was evaluated before surgery using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14. On postoperative days (PD) 1, 3, 5 and 7, patients completed the (OHIP)-14 & the condition-specific (HRQOL) instrument. Results: A significant deterioration in OHRQOL was seen on (PD)1(P=0.000), and (PD)3 (P=0.000), except for psychological discomfort and disability domains. On (PD)5, no difference was found, however, females had significantly lower OHRQOL levels than males on (OHIP)-14 (P=0.008) and the domains: physical (P=0.048), psychological (P=0.016) and social disability(P=0.018). Conclusions: Third molar surgery was associated with deterioration in patients’ OHRQOL on the first three postoperative days. Females had a slower recovery, with no effect of other factors on patients’ recovery pattern.