An evaluation of the relation between the maxillary third molars and facial proportions using cephalometric image

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the position of the third molars and their relationship with pterygomaxillary fissure vertical dimension patterns and on panoramic and cephalometric images. Materials and Methods: In the present retrospective study, the third molar position classifications, third molar positions of patients with cephalometric and panoramic radiographs, and their relationship with vertical skeletal growth and pterygomaxillary fissure were thoroughly investigated in the light of the preoperative clinical and radiologic records from 200 patients with an indication of third molar extraction, who were admitted to Istanbul Aydin University Faculty of Dentistry Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology Clinic and Department of Orthodontics due to various reasons. Results: The obtained data were evaluated using SPSS (22.0) package program. Regarding the data analysis, Mann–Whitney U-test statistics was used for the analysis of two-variable data. The vertical facial length's relation with the maxillary third molars, which had been examined on cephalometric and panoramic images, was identified as 50.3% for skeletal Class I, 42.1% for skeletal Class II, 7.6% for skeletal Class III, 70.2% for unilateral, and 29.8% for bilateral. The upper impacted wisdom tooth being unilateral or bilateral does not affect the vertical facial length (P = 0.386). The upper wisdom tooth being impacted unilaterally or bilaterally did not exhibit any statistical difference with the parameters of upper-lower and total anterior facial height and posterior facial height. According to the Chi-square analysis, the correlation between gender and pterygomaxillary fissure variable was found to be statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). According to Mann–Whitney U-test results, no variable was found to be statistically significant based on the molar status (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In the light of this study, prior to treatment planning, if the relationship between the third molars and anatomical formations is determined on cephalometric and panoramic radiographs and it is determined whether the impact of upper wisdom teeth remains effective, consider the therapeutic mechanics used in orthodontic treatments and the complications that may arise during surgical operations. It is emphasized that the necessary measures should be considered beforehand in order to prevent these problems.