Assessment of Third Molar Impaction Pattern and Associated Clinical Symptoms in a Central Anatolian Turkish Population

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the pattern of third molar impaction and associated symptoms in a Central Anatolian Turkish population. Material and Methods: A total of 2,133 impacted third molar teeth of 705 panoramic radiographs were reviewed. The positions of impacted third molar teeth on the panoramic radiographs were documented according to the classifications of Pell and Gregory and of Winter. The presence of related symptoms including pain, pericoronitis, lymphadenopathy and trismus was noted for every patient. Distributions of obtained values were compared using the Pearson χ² test. Nonparametric values were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 30.58 ± 11.98 years (range: 19-73); in a review of the 2,133 impacted third molar teeth, the most common angulation of impaction in both maxillaries was vertical (1,177; 55%). Level B impaction was the most common in the maxilla (425/1,037; 39%), while level C impaction was the most common in the mandible (635/1,096; 61%). Pain (272/705; 39%) and pericoronitis (188/705; 27%) were found to be the most common complications of impaction. Among 705 patients (335 males, 370 females), pericoronitis was more prevalent in males (101; 30%) and usually related to lower third molars (236; 22%). The retromolar space was significantly smaller in females (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference in retromolar space for the area of jaw (maxillary: 11.3 mm; mandibular: 14.2 mm) and impaction level (A: 14.7 mm; B: 11.1 mm; C: 10.3 mm; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The pattern of third molar impaction in a Central Anatolian Turkish population was characterized by a high prevalence rate of level C impaction with vertical position. Pain and pericoronitis were the most common symptoms usually associated with level A impaction and vertical position.

Prevalence of Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Middle Black Sea Population

“…In addition, studies in different racial and ethnic groups have produced different results. In Bhopal, India [19], Saudi Arabia [1] the Anatolian Turkish Population, [13] and the present study, the vertical position is seen at the highest rates, while the mesioangular position is seen at higher rates in the Northeast Of Iran [18], Oman [7], India, [20] and Saudi Arabia [1]. In Saudi Arabia [1], the vertical position is higher at the maxilla, and the mesioangular position is higher at the mandible (Table 4).…”

“…Another study was performed in Turkey in the region of Anatolia, and that study also reported a high prevalence of third molar impaction in the vertical position [13]. Many studies have similar findings in international studies [13,[15][16][17][18][19]. In some studies, the most common angulation pattern was mesioangular in the mandible [7,18,20] (Table 4).…”

“…The sample size used herein was equivalent to those used in many other international studies [1,7,13,14]. Another study was performed in Turkey in the region of Anatolia, and that study also reported a high prevalence of third molar impaction in the vertical position [13].…”

“…Schersten et al [22] suggested that the most suitable ages for studying the frequency of mandibular third molars and their impaction are between 20 and 25 years. Previous studies have included patients between 19 and 73 years (Table 4) [1,13].…”

Evaluation of 1211 Third Molars Positions According to the Classification of Winter, Pell & Gregory

“…The upper and lower third molars are the last teeth to erupt, the most affected by tooth impaction problems. The main factors related to the impaction of third molars are the lack of space, limited bone development, presence of adjacent teeth, dense bone structure or excess of soft tissue (Yilmaz et al, 2016).…”