Main

Huang GJ, Drangsholt MT et al. J Dent Res 2008; 87: 283–287

Data obtained from insurance claims report a significant association between the extraction of third molar teeth in 15-20 year-old patients and temporomandibular disorder syndrome (TMD). However, it has not been established if such a relationship exists in all age groups. This study adopted a robust methodology including the following subject recruitment strategy. In a group of over two thousand patients from the USA who had had third molars removed, TMD was identified. This was compared with a similar number of subjects who were matched for age and gender, with no history of such surgery. The investigators showed that, regardless of age, there was no significant risk of TMD in subjects who had third molar teeth extracted although it approached significance in teenagers as it did for the depth of tooth impaction.