Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the position of impacted third molars based on the classifications of Pell & Gregory and Winter in a sample of Iranian patients. Study design: In this retrospective study, up to 1020 orthopantomograms (OPG) of the patients who were referred to the radiology clinics from October 2007 to January 2011 were evaluated. Data including the age, gender, the angulation type, width and depth of impaction were evaluated by statistical tests. Results: Among 1020 patients, 380(27.3%) were male and 640(62.7%) were female with the sex ratio was 1:1.7. Of the 1020 OPGs, 585 cases showed at least one impacted third molar, with significant difference between males (205; 35.1%) and females (380; 64.9%) (P = 0.0311). Data analysis showed that impacted third molars were 1.9 times more likely to occur in the mandible than in the maxilla (P =0.000). The most common angulation of impaction in the mandible was mesioangular impaction (48.3%) and the most common angulation of impaction in the maxilla was the vertical (45.3%). Impaction in the level IIA was the most common in both maxilla and mandible. There was no significant diffe-rence between the right and left sides in both the maxilla and the mandible. Conclusion: The pattern of third molar impaction in the southeast region of Iran is characterized by a high prevalence of impaction, especially in the mandible. Female more than male have teeth impaction. The most common angulation was the mesioangular in the mandible, and the vertical angulation in the maxilla. The most common level of impaction was the A and there was no any significant difference between the right and left sides in both jaws. Key words:Third molar, impaction, incidence, Iran.
Highlights
Tooth impaction is a pathological situation in which a tooth can not or will not erupt into its normal functioning position
According to the fact that the pattern of third molar impaction has not been assessed in the southeast area of Iran, the objective of this study is to evaluate the pattern of third molar impaction using panoramic radiograph in a sample of patients living in the southeast region of Iran
This study showed that the pattern of third molar impaction in the present sample is characterized by a high prevalence in female
Summary
Tooth impaction is a pathological situation in which a tooth can not or will not erupt into its normal functioning position. This problem can be solved by dental treatment [1]. Several methods have been used to classify the impaction This classification is based on many factors which are the level of impaction [15], the angulations of the third molars and the relationship to the anterior border of the ramus of the mandible. Depth or level of maxillary and mandibular third molars can be classified using the Pell and Gregory classification system, where the impacted teeth are assessed according to their relationship to the occlusal surface (OS) of the adjacent second molar [17]. The null hypothesis tested was that there were no differences between the pattern of third molar impactions and its factors (age, gender, the angulation type, width and depth of impaction) in the southeast of Iran with those reported in several other investigations in different locations through the world
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