Prevalence of Third Molar Impaction - A Retrospective Radiographic Study

Abstract

Objectives: 1. To identify the frequency of third molar impaction. 2. To evaluate the pattern of third molar impaction. Methodology: Six months records of the Digital Orthopantomographs of patients attending department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, SDM Dental College and Hospital were randomly collected. Age range of the patient being 19 years or older. Orthopantomographs were reviewed by the single examiner using a X-ray viewer. Third molar was considered impacted if the tooth is not in functional occlusion or if roots were not fully formed. Angulation was assessed by measuring the angle between the long axis of the impacted third molar relative to the long axis of the second molar using orthodontic protractor. The results were tabulated and sent for statistical analysis. To test the significance Chi square test was applied. The p value was set to 0.05 Results: These results show that third molar impaction was most common in mandibular arch than in maxillary. Most common type of impaction in the maxillary arch and mandibular arch was vertical type. Conclusion: Third molar impactions are most common in the mandibular arch than maxillary with the higher incidence rate on the left side than right. Most common type of impaction in the maxillary and mandibular arches was vertical impaction followed by mesioangular