Evaluation of patient comfort and satisfaction after the surgical removal of mandibular impacted molars using a piezo-electric technique: A randomized double-blind clinical trial

Introduction: This is a double clinical trial conducted to study the patient satisfaction and comfort during and after surgical removal of impacted mandibular 3rd molar using Piezo electric tips.

Material and methods: Two groups of 25 each [14 (56 %) males and 11 (44 %) females] and [18 (72 % males and 07 (28 %) females] represented the Rotary and Piezo groups respectively with bilateral impactions. one side of the patient is operated by piezo and the other side by rotary instrument after a gap of 2-3 week between the procedures. The variables considered are pain, swelling, trismus, patient satisfaction and comfort. The readings were taken on base line,3rd day,7th and 14th day.

Results: Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using means and standard deviations for continuous variables and percentages for categorical variables. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The surgery time taken was more in the Piezo group (26.96 ± 12.201) in comparison with the Rotary group (21.32 ± 12.786- (p = 0.011∗). Satisfaction was rated better in the Piezo group (3.18 ± 0.909 vs 2.88 ± 0.881) (p = 0.013∗). Tactile sensation was less in the Piezo group (1.24 ± 0.436) vs (2.28 ± 0.678) (p = 0.001). Less pain was reported in the piezo group patients and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant only during the third day follow up (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: The overall patient satisfaction and comfort was better in piezo in spite of longer duration of surgery. It provides better quality of life as the patients experienced less pain and the total number of analgesics taken is significantly less compared to rotary group.