Factors affecting pain experience after lower third molar germectomy in teenagers—a clinical study

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between subjective pain threshold (SPT), daily pain recovery (PR) during the first postoperative week, and patient/surgical characteristics, while evaluating changes in SPT across multiple surgeries. Additionally, it assessed how perceived quality of life correlates with SPT and PR in adolescents undergoing lower third molar germectomy.

A prospective clinical study was conducted at the Paediatric Surgery Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, involving 51 patients aged 10–16 years undergoing lower third molar germectomy. SPT and daily PR were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during the first postoperative week, and quality of life was evaluated using the SF-12 questionnaire at 1-week follow-up.

A total of 87 germectomies were performed, with 36 patients undergoing a second surgery. The mean age was 13.86 ± 1.81 years. Mean VAS scores increased from 4.2 ± 1.5 for Intervention 1 to 4.8 ± 1.6 for Intervention 2. Longer operative times were associated with higher PR scores on postoperative day 3. Higher PR scores correlated with greater limitations in daily activities and emotional well-being, while lower PR scores were linked to better self-perceived health.

SPT and PR are influenced by surgical duration and self-health perception. Shorter procedures and positive self-health perception contribute to faster recovery and improved postoperative quality of life in young patients.