Assessment of Third Molar Impaction Pattern in the Mandible and in the Maxilla

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare characteristics of erupted and impacted third molars in the mandible and the
maxilla using quantitative measurements and determine any relationship between the eruption/impaction pattern of
third molars in both jaws with available eruption space and tooth inclination.
Material and Methods: Patients who visited to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at tertiary care institute
of India were screened for eligibility to join our study. The eruption status of the third molars in both jaws were examined
on orthopantomographs by measuring the distance from the line tangent to the highest points of occlusal cusps of the
third molar to that of the adjacent second molar. The presence of available space for the eruption was determined by the
ratio of the mesiodistal length of the third molar crown to the length of the alveolar arch distal to second molars.
Results: There was sufficient space for the eruption of third molars in 17.6% of the cases in the mandible as opposed
to 61.7% of the cases in the maxilla. In the mandible, 37.7% of third molars were in vertical position, 37.1% were in
mesioangular position, and 19.9% were in distoangular position. In the maxilla, 62.5% of third molars were in vertical
position and 33.12% were in distal inclination. The presence of favorable parameters does not warrant full eruption of
third molars in both jaws.
Conclusion: Removal of impacted third molars is the most commonly employed procedure in oral surgery practice. Pain
and pericoronitis were the most common symptoms usually associated with level A impaction and vertical position.