The Relationship of the Inferior Dental Canal to the Roots of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars in Jordanian Population

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the topographic relationship between the inferior dental canals (IDCs) and the roots of impacted mandibular third molars. Methods:Preoperative orthopantomograms (OPGs) were examined and the proximity of the IDC to the roots of impacted mandibular third molars was categorized into the following: groups: superimposition, adjacent, perforation, grooving, notching, or none. The categories notching, grooving, and perforation were regrouped together and called the true relationship between the IDC and the root apices. The type of impaction, age, and sex of the patient were also noted. Results:The positional category of 96.1% of the radiographs with bilateral impactions was identical on both sides of the mandible. Out of 2526 impacted mandibular third molars examined, 1146 (45.3%) belonged to the superimposition category, 663 (26.2%) were adjacent, 312 (12.3%) showed grooving, 78 (3.08%) showed notching, and 9 (0.35%) were actually perforating the IDC. The results showed 15.7% of the total cases were in true relationship with the IDC. There was a significant association (p = 0.000) between patient's age and true relationship. Conclusions:Identical positional relationship of the bilateral impacted third molars to the IDC was noted in 96.1% of the radiographs. The position of the IDC in relation to the roots of impacted third molars varied according to the patient's age.

Evaluation of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars by Panoramic Radiography

“…Present study is not in agreement with study of Hazza'a et al [10] as they found maximum number of vertically placed third molars with superimposed relations, followed by vertically placed third molars with adjacent relations, then mesioangularly placed third molars with superimposed relations and mesioangularly placed third molars with grooving relations.…”

“…For gender distribution this study is in accordance with study of Hazza'a et al [10] However, studies of Linden et al, Hattab et al, Yamaoka et al, Sandhu and Kapila, and Odusanya and Abayomi showed female predominance [11, 13–16]. This lack of definitive sex predominance in the third molar impaction raised the question against Hellmen's statement that the jaws of the females stop growing when third molar just begin to erupt, whereas in males the growth of the jaws continues beyond the time of third molar [14].…”

Pattern of third molar impaction in Libyan population: A retrospective radiographic study

“…7 In the present study, there was no statistically significant sex distribution of impacted third molars. This is in accordance with observations made by Montelius, 3 Hazza et al, 19 Gupta et al 7 and Padhye et at. 2 However, results of Hellman 20 showed female predominance.…”

“…Same results were obtained by Hattab et al Level and Padhye et al, 2 Hazza et al 19 and Gupta et al 7 found that the highest proportion of impacted third molars was in vertical position, followed by mesioangular and distoangular. Furthermore, Richardson 23 found that the highest number of impacted third molars was in horizontal position.…”

Prevalence of impacted teeth in a Greek population

“…The literature shows that tooth impaction is a frequent phenomenon; 3–14 however, there is considerable variation in the prevalence and distribution of impacted teeth in different regions of the jaw 4–14 . Factors affecting the prevalence include the selected age group, timing of dental eruption, and the radiographic criteria for dental development and eruption.…”