Factors Affecting Discomfort Levels After Third Molar Removal: Practitioner Background, Communication Style, and Demographics

Abstract

This study investigated how postoperative pain intensity during the first seven days following lower wisdom tooth extraction is influenced by the surgeon’s experience, the nature of postoperative instructions provided to the patient, and the patient’s sex. A total of 108 patients participated. They were divided into two groups based on the type of information received: one group received both comprehensive verbal and written instructions (test group), while the other was provided with detailed written instructions only (control group). Each group was further divided into three subgroups based on the experience level of the operator performing the procedure. The analysis revealed that the method of delivering postoperative instructions—whether written alone or combined with verbal explanation—did not significantly impact pain intensity. However, both the surgeon’s level of experience and the patient's sex were found to significantly affect the severity of postoperative pain.