Background and purpose: The extraction of lower third molars is a routine procedure
in dental practice however, it can lead to complications such as pain, edema and trismus.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of platysma exercises applied
after lower third molar tooth extraction on edema, while observing the differences
in pain and trismus. Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted
at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University. Thirty-one participants, aged 18-40,
requiring impacted lower third molar extraction were randomly assigned to an intervention
group following surgery (receiving platysma exercises and pharmacological treatment)
or a control group (receiving pharmacological treatment only). Postoperative outcomes,
including edema, pain, and trismus, were evaluated at four time points: preoperatively,
and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7. Edema was assessed via standardized facial measurements,
pain using a visual analog scale, and trismus by measuring maximum inter-incisal distance.
Results: The intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in edema compared
to the control group by the seventh postoperative day (p < 0.05). No significant differences
were observed in trismus or pain levels between the groups, although a trend towards
lower pain scores was noted in the intervention group. Conclusion: Platysma exercises
effectively reduce postoperative facial edema without exacerbating pain or trismus.
This simple, cost-effective approach can be considered a valuable adjunct in the postoperative
management of lower third molar extractions.
