Correlating the clinical assessment of impacted mandibular third molars with panoramic radiograph and intraoral periapical radiograph

Abstract

Aims And Objectives:This study was conducted to compare the clinical assessment of impacted third molars of mandible with panaromic radiograph (OPG) and intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPA) and to assess the efficacy of IOPA and. Moreover, we corroborated the OPG and IOPA findings of impacted mandiblar third molar root apex to inferior alveolar canal.Materials and Methods:A total of 200 patients with pericoronitis were examined who were indicated for surgical extraction, among which 50 patients were selected for the study. All the patients underwent a radiographic survey with a digital OPG and IOPA of impacted mandibular third molars, along with clinical survey for anatomic relationship, type of impaction, space available, position in relation to second molar, number of roots, root curvature, and proximity of nerve canal. The data was subjected to statistical analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 4.0.1 software was used for analyzing the collected data.Results:The study revealed that IOPA was more accurate in determining a majority of the factors affecting the third molar surgery, including relationship of the external oblique ridge (IOPA vs OPG = 96%:90%), anteroposterior relation with ramus (IOPA vs OPG = 70%:66%), vertical depth of impaction (IOPA vs OPG = 72%:68%), number of roots (P = 0.013), morphology of roots (IOPA vs OPG = 96%:90%); however, OPG was found to be accurate in evaluating the type of impaction (IOPA vs OPG = 88%:94%), canal relation, along with root of impacted molar (IOPA vs OPG = 74%:86%).Conclusion:To conclude, although IOPA has a marginal angle over OPG in assessing various parameters, only the number of roots have a greater accuracy (P < 0.0013) in IOPA than with OPG. However, the OPG is the better choice to be considered when the patient is associated with trismus.

Evaluation of Patterns of Impacted Third Molars and Their Association With Vital Structures by Radiographic Examination

“…In order to evaluate patterns of third molars Orthopantomogram (OPG) is most commonly used radiographic investigation. 4 We can assess the type of impaction, depth, it's relation to adjacent tooth, maxillary sinus and the Inferior alveolar canal (IAC), to plan the management accordingly. Many studies have shown that the presence of impacted 3 rd mandibular molar may lead to various complications including infections, odontogenic cysts/tumors and even fracture at the mandibular angle region 1,5 .…”

Clinical assessment of impacted lower third molars at Ekpan, Delta State in Nigeria

“…Analyses on orientations of impacted mandibular third molars expressed that mesioangular kind of impaction was the most incessantly viewed. 4,14,15 This inquiry revealed that mesioangular inclination is the most noticeable angulation though not with an explicit tiein to the age classes (p >0.05). This outcome acceded to that from foregoing inquiries.…”

“…This affirmed the deductions of other inquirers. 1,2,4 Acute pericoronitis is a recurring indication for taking out impacted inferior third molars in this disquisition. This was in accordance with reports from other acquisitions.…”

“…This was in accordance with reports from other acquisitions. 4,8,12 However, caries and crowding are unfavorable sequelae that overwhelmed others concerning impacted inferior third molars. 2,3 Extraction of teeth was performed for 72(52.2%) of the participators owing to carious lesions.…”

“…This is in conformity with the course of treatment specified by other inquisitors. 1,3,4 This acquisition's key strength was the one-on-one intra-oral examination of patients allowing the clinician to acquire details. The main limitation of this inquisition was the failure to obtain a 100% true and sincere response from the patients during history taking.…”