The use of low serum levels can decrease pain, overall satisfaction and smell from the mouth and elevate the swelling scores after the removal of third molars, as deduced from a randomized clinical trial issued in Minerva Dental and Oral Science. Neda Omidpanah et al. determined the suitable amount of serum utilized for minimizing complications in patients who had undergone impacted lower third molar surgery.

Overall 330 patients (mean age of 25.6 years) requiring third molar surgery were allocated into any of the following 3 groups:

• Group A: Received 20 ml of 0.9 % normal saline
• Group B: Received 40 ml of 0.9 % normal saline
• Group C: Received 60ml of 0.9 % normal saline as an irrigation solution

On 2 and 7 days after surgery, the pain intensity, inflammation, variation in routine activities, general patient satisfaction were evaluated. With the aid of a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the number of analgesics consumed, an assessment of pain was carried out. Using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis analysis, the data were examined.

On 2 and 7 days following surgery, a considerable inter-group difference was noted in terms of pain intensity, inflammation, satisfaction and alteration of mouth smell.  However, no profound inter-group differences were noted in terms of the rate of alteration in the quality of life.