Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Jan;3(1):10-4.
doi: 10.4103/0975-5950.102141.

Primary and secondary closure technique following removal of impacted mandibular third molars: A comparative study

Affiliations

Primary and secondary closure technique following removal of impacted mandibular third molars: A comparative study

Manoj Chaudhary et al. Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2012 Jan.

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the post operative healing, using primary versus second closure techniques after impacted mandibular third molar removal.

Materials and methods: The study consisted of twelve patients, Seven males and five females under 30 years of age were divided into two groups as Group A and Group B in the randomized fashion. In the Group A, closure was done by primary intention and in the Group B, by secondary closure. A comparison between both groups was done with a follow-up period of 6 h to 6 days with regards to postoperative pain and swelling.

Results: The statistical analysis (analysis of variance for repeated measures, P < 0.05) showed that pain was greater in Group A, although it decreased over time similarly in the two groups. Pain and swelling was less severe with secondary healing than with primary healing.

Conclusion: The outcome of this study suggested that secondary closure technique is better than primary closure technique for removal of impacted mandibular third molar with regards to postoperative pain and swelling.

Keywords: Impaction; postoperative pain and swelling; third molar surgery.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Standard Ward's incision
Figure 2
Figure 2
Group A, Primary closure: Flap design and clinical image
Figure 3
Figure 3
Group B, secondry closure: flap design and clinical image

References

    1. Archer WH. Impacted Teeth: Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1975. pp. 275–390.
    1. van Gool AV, Ten Bosch JJ, Boering G. A photographic method of assessing swelling following third molar removal. Int J Oral Surg. 1975;4:121–9. - PubMed
    1. de Brabander EC, Cattaneo G. The effect of surgical drain together with a secondary closure technique on postoperative trismus, swelling and pain after mandibular third molar surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1988;17:119–21. - PubMed
    1. Holland CS, Hindle MO. The influence of closure or dressing of third molar sockets on post-operative swelling and pain. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1984;22:65–71. - PubMed
    1. Killei KE, Kay LW. The impacted wisdom tooth. Philadelphia: Livingstone; 1975.