Oral and maxillofacial pathologyF2-Isoprostanes in soft oral tissues and degree of oral disability after mandibular third molar surgery

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to test the value of F2-isoprostane (F2-IsoP) levels in the pericoronal gingiva as a potential predictor of oral disability after mandibular third molar (M3M) surgery.Study designThirteen patients (5 male, 8 female) with partially impacted M3M were enrolled. Pericoronal soft tissues histology was obtained, gingival F2-IsoPs were measured by gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were assessed.ResultsA variable degree of pericoronitis was evident before the M3M surgery, with a mean level of pericoronal F2-IsoPs of 634.8 ± 193.5 pg/mg of tissue. A significant positive correlation between pericoronal F2-IsoPs and HRQOL was observed in male (rs = 0.440; P = .0011), but not female (rs = −0.062; P = .5124) patients.ConclusionsLevels of F2-IsoPs in the pericoronal soft tissues are correlated with the degree of oral disability after M3Ms surgery in male, but not female, patients.