Pathosis associated with radiographically normal follicular tissues in third molar impactions: A clinicopathological study

Soft tissue pathosis associated with asymptomatic impacted lower third molars

“…Differences in male/ female ratios have also been reported in earlier studies, although the reason for this difference remains unknown (6)(7)(8)(9). In line with studies suggesting that pathological change occurs more frequently after age 20 and is particularly high among individuals aged 20-30 (4,8,11,12), our study found 80% of cystic changes and 58.06% of inflammation occurred in patients aged 20-24. This result is consistent with the previous reports.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that a pericoronal radiolucency 2.5 mm or larger on a panoramic radiograph may indicate an abnormality (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Extraction of impacted mandibular (lower) third molars (ILTMs) is one of the most frequent procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (6,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Because most dental practitioners discard extracted unerupted third molars rather than send them for histopathological analysis, no accurate information is available regarding the prevalence of pathological formations (9).…”

Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumor in Radiologically Normal Dental Follicular Space of Mandibular Third Molars: Report of Two Cases

“…There are several reports in the literature on pathologies associated with follicular tissues of apparently normal impacted teeth on radiographs. 1 , 2 , 8 - 10 , 13 - 16 The available literature depicts the variation in incidence of pathologies detected in follicular tissues associated with radiographically normal impacted tooth. Glosser and Campell 8 found pathological changes in 32% of follicles associated with impacted third molars.…”

“…One of the problems that we face as clinicians is regarding the availability of limited data from the studies 1,2,9,13-15 regarding the pathologies associated with radiographically normal dental follicle. These pathological changes include dentigerous cyst, 1,8,10,13,14,16 odontogenic keratocyst, 13,15,16 ameloblastoma, 10,13-15 and low grade fibrosarcoma. 9 Minor pathological alterations such as presence of hyperplastic squamous epithelium, foreign body granolumes, and sulphur granules have also been reported.…”

“…7 Several recent studies have demonstrated considerable pathologies associated with radiologically normal radiolucency and the incidence is higher than generally perceived from radiographic examination alone. 1 , 2 , 8-16 This is especially notable since important pathological conditions such as ameloblastomas, 10 , 14 , 15 odontogenic keratocysts, 15 , 16 dentigerous cysts, 1 , 8 , 10 , 14 , 16 odontogenic fibroma, 15 odontogenic myxoma, 15 and low grade fibrosarcoma 7 have been observed in the follicles which have a potential to develop into more serious complications. Hence, it has been proposed that all impacted teeth should be removed regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms and associated follicular tissue should be sent for histopathological examination.…”