Positive Long-Term Effects of Third Molar Extraction on Taste Function.

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Neuroscience
• Sensory science

Background:

• Mandibular third molar extraction (TME) can cause temporary taste disturbances.
• Long-term effects of TME on taste function are not well understood.
• Previous studies suggest taste deficits usually resolve within a year.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term whole-mouth taste function in individuals who underwent TME.
• To compare taste function between TME patients and a control group with no history of TME.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of chemosensory function data from 891 TME patients and 364 controls.
• Taste function assessed using a whole-mouth identification test with four qualities (sweet, salty, sour, bitter) at varying concentrations.
• Data analyzed using analyses of covariance, with age as a covariate.

Main Results:

• Individuals with a history of TME demonstrated significantly better overall taste test scores across all four qualities compared to nonoperated controls.
• No association was found between taste scores and the time elapsed since TME.
• Women consistently outperformed men in taste function, and function declined with advancing age in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Long-term TME is associated with enhanced, not impaired, taste function, contrary to initial postoperative expectations.
• The underlying mechanisms for this enhanced taste perception post-TME remain speculative.
• Potential explanations include nerve afferent sensitization or altered central nervous system inhibition pathways.