Abstract

IFESANYA, JU  and  ALADELUSI, TA. Third molar impaction in a cross section of adult orthodontic patients. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2018, vol.73, n.1, pp.23-26. ISSN 0375-1562.

INTRODUCTION: Third molars (M3) show the greatest variability of the human dentition. Impacted third molars have been implicated in oral infections, neoplastic conditions and late onset dental crowding AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of third molar impaction among a sample of adult orthodontic patients in relation to their antero-posterior and vertical craniofacial skeletal patterns. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study METHODS: Orthopantomograms and lateral cephalograms of 62 adult orthodontic patients were assessed. Presence and type of M3 impaction according to Winter's and the Pell and Gregory's classifications were documented and the relationships of these data to the vertical and antero-posterior cranio-facial skeletal patterns were assessed. All analyses were performed using the SPSS package, version 22. Level of significance was set at p<0.05 RESULTS: Median age was 23.5years. Disto-angular impaction was commonest in the maxilla while mesio-angular and horizontal impactions were limited solely to the mandible (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between Winter's classification of M3 impaction and the antero-posterior skeletal pattern (p=0.007). Pell & Gregory class 3 impactions were found almost entirely among patients with class II malocclusion, (p<0.001 CONCLUSION: M3 impaction is prevalent among the sample, the ore more severe impactions occurring in skeletal pattern II subjects

Keywords : Impaction; Cephalometry; Third Molar; Skeletal Pattern.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )