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Background <p>Third molar extraction is a routine oral surgical procedure often evoking significant&#xa0;psychological stress. Preoperative anxiety and limited awareness of surgical&#xa0;complexity can affect intraoperative experiences, recovery and long-term perceptions of&#xa0;dental care.</p> Aim <p>To assess patients’ psychological status before third molar extraction, evaluate&#xa0;postoperative experiences, and examine awareness and perceptions of the&#xa0;procedure.</p> Methods <p>An observational study was conducted among 140 patients indicated for impacted&#xa0;mandibular third molar removal at a tertiary care centre. Structured questionnaires&#xa0;captured sociodemographic details, knowledge, preoperative and postoperative&#xa0;psychological status, and surgical experiences. Data was analysed&#xa0;descriptively.</p> Results <p>Participants (mean age 32.2 years; 53.6% female) showed limited knowledge, with&#xa0;only 35.7% aware of possible complications. Pain was the main reason for seeking&#xa0;care (82.1%). Preoperative anxiety was moderate (mean 3.8), commonly linked to&#xa0;injections and blood. Postoperatively, 79.3% reported uneventful procedures, though&#xa0;one-third experienced pain or swelling. Anxiety declined significantly after surgery&#xa0;(mean 2.7) and 94.3% expressed positive attitudes toward future dental&#xa0;treatment.</p> Conclusion <p>Despite limited awareness and moderate preoperative anxiety, most patients reported&#xa0;positive surgical experiences and reduced anxiety postoperatively. Patient-centred&#xa0;communication and effective counselling are essential to improve outcomes and&#xa0;reshape perceptions of dentistry.</p>

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“Before the Cut and After the Cure: Psychological Readiness and Recovery in Third Molar Surgery Patients”

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月19日

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  • M. Benecia,
  • Keerthana Ponvel,
  • Manikandhan Ramanathan

摘要

Background

Third molar extraction is a routine oral surgical procedure often evoking significant psychological stress. Preoperative anxiety and limited awareness of surgical complexity can affect intraoperative experiences, recovery and long-term perceptions of dental care.

Aim

To assess patients’ psychological status before third molar extraction, evaluate postoperative experiences, and examine awareness and perceptions of the procedure.

Methods

An observational study was conducted among 140 patients indicated for impacted mandibular third molar removal at a tertiary care centre. Structured questionnaires captured sociodemographic details, knowledge, preoperative and postoperative psychological status, and surgical experiences. Data was analysed descriptively.

Results

Participants (mean age 32.2 years; 53.6% female) showed limited knowledge, with only 35.7% aware of possible complications. Pain was the main reason for seeking care (82.1%). Preoperative anxiety was moderate (mean 3.8), commonly linked to injections and blood. Postoperatively, 79.3% reported uneventful procedures, though one-third experienced pain or swelling. Anxiety declined significantly after surgery (mean 2.7) and 94.3% expressed positive attitudes toward future dental treatment.

Conclusion

Despite limited awareness and moderate preoperative anxiety, most patients reported positive surgical experiences and reduced anxiety postoperatively. Patient-centred communication and effective counselling are essential to improve outcomes and reshape perceptions of dentistry.