Patients' Retrospective Preference for Extraction of Asymptomatic Third Molars

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the personal utility of asymptomaticthird molar removal in military patients. From 1 to 30 days (mean=7.4) after the extraction of one or more third molars, 100 returning patients (all male, mean age=20.1) were asked to respond to hypothetical questions concerning the extraction of asymptomatic third molars. The results indicate general acceptance of the strategy of prophylactic third molar removal among a sample of military patients who have undergone pre-treatment counseling and the surgical procedure. A question remains as to the personal utility that might be measured prior to surgery.