Third molars and dental crowding: different opinions of orthodontists and oral surgeons among Italian practitioners.

Michela Gavazzi,Paolo Pesce,Sergio Blasi,Valentina Lanteri,Donato De Angelis

doi:10.1186/s40510-014-0060-y

Michela Gavazzi, Paolo Pesce + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-014-0060-y

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Abstract

BackgroundThe role of third molars as a cause of incisor crowding, especially in the lower arch, continues to be controversial. The aim of this work is to compare opinions of Italian oral surgeons and orthodontists on this topic.MethodsOne hundred ninety-three Italian practitioners of the Society of Orthodontics (SIDO) and the Italian Society of Oral Surgery (SICOI) were asked to fill out an online questionnaire made up of six questions. Practitioners were asked to express their opinion on the relation between upper and lower third molar eruption and anterior crowding.ResultsOne hundred sixty-six members of both societies completed the online research survey; response rate (RR) was 86%. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.005). Both agree not to believe that third molars create a force responsible for anterior crowding in the upper (82.5% orthodontists, 83.8% surgeons) and in the lower arch (52.6% orthodontists, 63.8% surgeons). Both agree also not to consider the upper (89.7% orthodontists, 82.1% surgeons) and lower (58.8% orthodontists, 63.2% surgeons) third molar extraction useful to prevent crowding.ConclusionsItalian orthodontists and oral surgeons have the same opinion on the role of the third molar in causing anterior crowding. The majority of both groups of clinicians do not consider their preventive extraction useful in order to prevent anterior crowding.

Highlights

The role of third molars as a cause of incisor crowding, especially in the lower arch, continues to be controversial
The 83.8% of the surgeons and the 82.5% of the orthodontists consider the force generated by the upper third molar eruption not able to cause dental crowding
Even if the recent literature had clarified the marginal role of third molar eruption in the genesis of anterior crowding, this topic continues to be controversial among clinicians

Summary

Introduction

The role of third molars as a cause of incisor crowding, especially in the lower arch, continues to be controversial. The relation between third molars and dental crowding has not yet been clarified in the literature. Clinicians have always been divided between supporters and opponents of anterior dental crowding produced by the force generated by the third molar eruption. Bergstrom [1] in 1961 was one of the first authors to analyze the influence of the third molar in the developing dental arch and to say that there was a relationship. Broadbent [4] was one of the first authors to support the opposite theory whereby the presence of third molars had no influence on the teeth. Karasawa [8] concluded that the presence of wisdom tooth had no influence on anterior teeth. Mettes et al [9]

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