Comparative Study on Immediate and Delayed Extraction of Mandibular Molars in the Management of Acute Dentoalveolar Abscess

Abstract

Objective: This study compared treatment outcome between two acute dentoalveolar abscesses in the same patients diagnosed simultaneously in both quadrants of the mandible, treated by either immediate or delayed extractions of the affected first and/or second molars. Methods: This is a prospective, cohort, clinical-based study. The timing of infected tooth is the predictor variable, whereas the healing parameters are the outcome variables.  The outcome variables include timing of extraction, patients’ preference of immediate or delayed extraction, healing time of soft tissues surrounding extraction sockets, and development of complication(s). Other variables were grouped into demographic and clinical parameters. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Results: The sample composed of 77 patients with 154 molars grouped as follows: control (n= 77, 50%) extracted on first visit and experimental (n= 77, 50%) removed subsequently on the 5^th day. There was no significant association between acute dentoalveolar abscess and development of alveolar osteitis (P= 0.831) as complication rates were 5.2% in control group and 6.5% in experimental. Most patients preferred immediate extraction, and healing period of soft tissues was 0.5 weeks shorter in the control than experimental group (P= 0.57). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that in patients with acute dentoalveolar abscess and accessible oral cavity, immediate extraction should be practiced.