F(2)-Isoprostanes in soft oral tissues and degree of oral disability after mandibular third molar surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the value of F(2)-isoprostane (F(2)-IsoP) levels in the pericoronal gingiva as a potential predictor of oral disability after mandibular third molar (M3M) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Thirteen patients (5 male, 8 female) with partially impacted M3M were enrolled. Pericoronal soft tissues histology was obtained, gingival F(2)-IsoPs were measured by gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were assessed. RESULTS: A variable degree of pericoronitis was evident before the M3M surgery, with a mean level of pericoronal F(2)-IsoPs of 634.8 ± 193.5 pg/mg of tissue. A significant positive correlation between pericoronal F(2)-IsoPs and HRQOL was observed in male (r(s) = 0.440; P = .0011), but not female (r(s) = -0.062; P = .5124) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of F(2)-IsoPs in the pericoronal soft tissues are correlated with the degree of oral disability after M3Ms surgery in male, but not female, patients.