Effect of platysma exercises on postoperative outcomes after third molar extraction

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Created On: 05/07/2025

Although lower third molar extraction is a standard dental intervention, it often leads to adverse outcomes like edema, pain, and difficulty opening the mouth.

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Key take away

Platysma exercises notably reduce postoperative facial edema after lower third molar extraction, without exacerbating pain or trismus.

Background

Although lower third molar extraction is a standard dental intervention, it often leads to adverse outcomes like edema, pain, and difficulty opening the mouth. This study investigated whether incorporating platysma exercises could help alleviate these concerns during the healing period.

Method

A total of 31 people aged 18 to 40, requiring extraction of impacted lower third molars, participated in this randomized controlled trial. Volunteers were allocated to either an intervention group, which received pharmacologic management alongside platysma exercises, or a control group, which received only medication. Edema, pain, and trismus were assessed at baseline and on the first, third, and seventh days post-surgery using standardized measurement techniques. Edema was measured through facial measurements, pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS), and trismus was assessed by measuring maximum inter-incisal distance.

Result

A marked reduction in swelling was observed in the intervention group by the seventh postoperative day (p < 0.05). Differences in pain and trismus between the groups were not statistically significant, though lower pain scores were noted in those performing platysma exercises.

Conclusion

Platysma exercises significantly reduce postoperative facial edema following lower third molar extraction, with no increase in pain or trismus. This straightforward, cost-effective method can be a valuable addition to postoperative care for patients undergoing this routine dental procedure.