Patients’ perception of recovery after exposure of impacted teeth: A comparison of closed- versus open-eruption techniques

This prospective study compared the patient’s perception of immediate postoperative recovery after surgical exposure of impacted teeth, treated with a closed-eruption versus an open-eruption surgical technique. Sixty patients (41 females and 19 males; mean age, 15.4 ± 2.8 years) were given a Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) questionnaire to be completed each postoperative day (POD) for 7 days. The questionnaire was designed to assess the patient’s perception of recovery regarding pain, oral function, general activity measures, and other parameters. The impact of possible predictor variables, such as age, gender, length of surgical procedure, tooth location, height of impaction, and the need for bone removal, was assessed. Substantial impairment and recovery time of pain and analgesic consumption, oral function (ability to eat and enjoy food, swallowing and mouth opening), and food accumulation were longer after an open-eruption exposure. No differences were recorded concerning general activity. Palatal impaction and the need for bone removal resulted in delayed recovery after exposure with an open-eruption technique. The immediate postoperative recovery was longer and more substantially impaired after open-eruption versus closed-eruption surgical techniques. The present study provides information to patients and clinicians assisting them in choosing the most appropriate surgical modality in relation to quality of health parameters.