Evaluation of intraoperative and postoperative effects of dental loupe in third molar surgery

Objective: Complications of third molar extraction are often temporary, but may cause a significant decrease in quality of life in the postoperative period. Although different supportive approaches have been used to prevent complications, there is no consensus on ideal practice. The use of dental loupe increases the success rate in periodontal surgeries and endodontic root end-up resection. In the literature review, there is no study related to use of dental loupe in 3rd molar toothe extraction. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of dental loupe on the duration of the operation and postoperative pain and edema. Method: The bilateral, mesioangular 3rd molar teeth were simultaneously extracted in 20 patients on one side with 3.3x magnification dental loupe and the other side without loupe Edema was evaluated with the measurements made with the help of flexible ruler on the preoperative and postoperative 3rd and 7th days over the reference points determined on the face. Pain complaints were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: According to the data collected on both sides of the mandible, 7 males and 13 females, the number of observations was recorded as 40. In surgeries performed under with or without magnification, the operation time and the 3rd and 7th days measurements of pain and edema did not change significantly (p values between 0.069 and 0.895). Conclusion: The operation time prolonged in using dental loupe. A rapid decrease in postoperative pain variable is thought to be caused by an atraumatic procedure with loupe.