Consequences of impacted wisdom teeth extraction on the periodontal environment of second molars. A pilot study

Introduction. - Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure, generally considered as safe by patients. However, complications are possible, especially periodontal ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and the consequences of periodontal complications at the level the 2nd molars after extraction of the wisdom teeth. Material and methods. - A single-center retrospective observational multi-operator study was conducted at the university hospital of Besancon - France. The files of all the adult patients who underwent extraction of four impacted wisdom teeth by mean of a standardized surgical technique between November 2012 and November 2014 and who could be followed 1 year postoperatively at leastand that precisely mentioned the periodontal status of the surgical sites were included. Postoperative complications, gingival and plaque indexes according to Loe and Silness, periodontal attachment level and periodontal second molar probing were recorded. The main judgment criterion was the occurrence of a periodontal complication in the second molar areas. Results. - The files of 20 patients (15 women - 5 men), operated on by five different surgeons, met the inclusion criteria. Two patients suffered from dry socket at one of the avulsion sites. No patient had a gingival or plaque index greater than 2. No gingival recession or periodontal pocket over 4 mm was found. Discussion. - Extraction of impacted third molars in young healthy adults didn't have any impact on the second molars periodontal environment in our study. Literature suggests that surgical technique greatly influences the occurrence and the extent of periodontal sequelae. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.