Evaluation of pain and swelling after impacted third molar surgery

The pain and swelling resulting from impacted lower third molars surgery were investigated in 18 patients. A descriptive pain scale method and paracetamol consumption were used for pain evaluation. The face bow nine-pointers was used for swelling measurements. The results showed that the pain peaked at 3 post-operative hours when it was considered of moderate intensity and decreased considerably in the following periods. Swelling peaked between 32 and 48 hours after surgery, and thereafter, a tendency towards regression was observed. No corelationship was found between pain symptoms and swelling.