Evaluation of extraoral tape application after extractionof impacted lower third molars

Purpose: The aim of our study was to clinically examine the effect of Kinesio taping on pain, bleeding, swelling and trismus applied after impacted mandibular third molar surgery. Material and method: Twenty-five patients with bilaterally similar positioned third molar teeth with bone retention in the mandible who applied to Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were included in our study. Extraction of impacted teeth was performed using a triangular flap with an interval of 4 weeks in each patient. The study consists of two groups: the side to which the kinesiology taping was applied is the study group and the side that was not applied is the control group. Kinesio tape was attached to the patients according to the lymphatic correction technique and parameters such as bleeding on the 1st day, pain, swelling and trismus on the 1st, 2nd and 7th days were evaluated. Results: In patients who underwent Kinesio taping, the mean values of VAS in terms of postoperative pain and bleeding did not show a significant difference compared to the untaped side. Mouth opening and swelling scores did not differ significantly on the banded side compared to the unbanded side. However, according to the answers given by the patients, it was observed that the application of the tape was more comfortable compared to the side without tape, the tape was less uncomfortable, and there were insignificant or mild swellings after tape application. Therefore, although there was no statistical difference between the two procedures in terms of medicine, it was observed that the tape application had a positive effect on the quality of life of the patients. Conclusion: Kinesio taping; It is a simple, inexpensive and effective treatment method for the prevention of post-surgical edema, pain and trismus in the maxillofacial region. Kinesio tape and medication contribute to each other when applied together Key words: Kinesio tape, impacted tooth, edema, trismus, pain