SYMPTOMS FROM IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH

A study of patients referred for wisdom teeth removal was carried out, to investigate symptoms prior to consultation and during the period o n the waiting List for surgery. The reasons for treatment of asymptoma tic wisdom teeth were investigated. Pain was the main indication for s urgery in 73.7% of patients waiting for consultation. 168 patients wai ting for consultation consumed a total of 271 courses of antibiotics, averaging 1.6 courses of antibiotics per patient. The antibiotic consu mption increased to an average of 2.5 courses per patient in 94 patien ts waiting for operation. 67 out of 423 patients had an average of thr ee lost working days due to symptoms from wisdom teeth. The long waiti ng list for consultation and treatment added further to the discomfort . The extent of symptoms from wisdom teeth may be underestimated.