The study was aimed at reviewing the indications for mandibular third molar surgery at the Oral surgery clinic of the UCH, Ibadan in the last 6 years. The level of compliance with the NIH criteria and NICE guidelines for third molar surgery was assessed.
MATERIALS AND METHOD:
The data were extracted from the clinic logbook and patients' case files. Third molars surgeries performed in the period between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005 were selected for this study. The indications for extraction were noted from the case file records and compared with the NIH criteria and NICE guidelines for compliance.
RESULTS:
Two hundred and ninety nine cases were performed on 294 patients including 5(1.7%) patients who had bilateral extractions of their impacted third molars within the study period. The age range was between 17 - 79 years with a mean age of 26 years. Reccurrent pericoronitis (90), apical periodontitis (70), first episode of acute pericoronitis (36), and prophylactic extractions (34) were the most frequent indications for extractions. Dento-alveolar abscess (4), tooth fracture (1) and orthodontic indications (1) were the least frequent reasons. There was 87.3% compliance with the NIH criteria and 73.9% compliance with the NICE guidelines.
CONCLUSION:
We concluded that although the level of compliance is fair, there is a significant level of default especially as a considerable number of prophylactic extractions were still performed