Frecuencia de complicaciones postoperatorias en la extracción de terceros molares inferiores en pacientes atendidos en la Clínica Odontológica UCSG.

Abstract

Introduction: Lower third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, located in the posterior region of the mandible, are indicated for extraction due to lack of space or improper positioning. Postoperative complications can occur during the first hours or days after the procedure. Among the most frequent complications are pain, edema, and hemorrhage. These complications may be related to patient factors, the characteristics of the third molar, and the complexity of the surgical procedure. Objective: To determine the frequency and types of the most common postoperative complications in the extraction of lower third molars in patients treated at the UCSG dental clinic. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, observational study was conducted on 52 patients treated at the UCSG dental clinic during the period A-2026. Results: The most frequent postoperative manifestation at 72 hours was pain (90.4%), followed by edema (5.8%) and postoperative hemorrhage (1.9%). At seven days, the frequency of pain (21.2%) and edema (1.9%) decreased. No cases of dry socket, secondary infection, or neurosensory alteration were found. Conclusion: Postoperative complications may be influenced by factors related to the patient, the position and difficulty of the third molar, and the characteristics of the surgical intervention.