Actuarial life-table analysis of lower impacted wisdom teeth in general dental practice.

Background: The appropriateness of extraction of asymptomatic impacted third molars has been much debated and as a result the number of extractions has fallen in the UK in the past few years. As a direct consequence of this decrease more impacted third molars are left in situ and yet, little is known about the natural history of these teeth.

Objective: The aim of this study was to create an actuarial life-table and related survival analysis that would shed light on the natural history of an impacted lower third molar.

Assessing oral health-related quality of life in general dental practice in Scotland: validation of the OHIP-14.

Objectives: To validate the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 in a sample of patients attending general dental practice.

Methods: Patients with pathology-free impacted wisdom teeth were recruited from six general dental practices in Tayside, Scotland, and followed for a year to assess the development of problems related to impaction. The OHIP-14 was completed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up, and analysed using three different scoring methods: a summary score, a weighted and standardized score and the total number of problems reported.