Third molar surgery in general dental practice.

A survey to determine the treatment procedures adopted by general dental practitioners for the removal of impacted third molar teeth was undertaken. Questionnaires were mailed to a sample of 100 practising dentists. Of the 67 per cent that responded, 41.8 per cent (28) indicated that they would attempt the procedure while the remaining 51.2 per cent (39) would not do so. Neither the length of professional experience nor whether they practised in metropolitan or country areas had a bearing on whether the impacted tooth would be removed or not. In general, South African general dental practitioners routinely removed overlying bone by means of a bur, sutured the mucosal incision wound, prescribed antibiotics, analgesics and a mouthwash, and recalled their patients for a post-operative review. Steroids were not prescribed.