Aim: The aims of the study is to assess the risk factors like age, gender, smoking etc. which predispose to complications in mandibular third molar surgery. Materials and Method: Sixty two patients were selected for mandibular third molar extraction. The tooth was extracted using Ward's and modified ward's incision. The duration of the procedure was recorded. The parameters measured post-operatively included Pain, Swelling, Trismus, Infection, Nerve Injury and Dry socket. They were compared on

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... he basis of Age, Gender, Smoking habit, Angulation of roots, type of Impaction etc. Result: No significant effect of age was seen on the pain, swelling or trismus. Though, pain was recorded more in female patients, the male patients reported with higher swelling and trismus. All the parameters were high for the smoker group. The duration of the surgery was higher in less experienced surgeons. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that Human factors like age, sex, smoking habit of the patient and expertise of the surgeon have a great role in the degree of complications which occur after third molar surgery. Anatomical risk factors i.e. the angulation of third molar, root form and proximity of the third molar root apex to the inferior alveolar nerve determines the difficulty in third molar extraction. Introduction Third molar surgery is the most frequently done surgery by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons worldwide. Incidence of third molar impaction is increasing day by day due to reduced jaw size and that is why most of these impacted teeth need to be addressed in terms of there removal or retention. Mandibular third molars are removed for a variety of reasons, but pericoronitis is the main reason for extraction in most cases. Post-operative complications after surgical removal of mandibular third molars like Alveolar osteitis, Infection, Pain, Swelling, Trismus, Bony spicule, Osteomyelitis, Temporo-mandibular joint disorders etc. have been reported in different frequencies and extents, ranging from mild discomfort after the operation to major complications that require further treatment, hospitalization and may result in permanent damage. Therefore, the routine extraction of mandibular third molars where there is no clear indication is discouraged. (1) The literature reports several factors that have a significant effect on the occurrence of complications after the surgical procedure. There are patient related factors including age, gender, smoking and the use of oral contraceptives. (2,3) Anatomic related factors included the level of impaction, angulation and the preexisting inflammatory condition. (4,5) In addition there are operation related factors including reflection of flap, bone removal, operation time, and seniority of the operator. (5,6)