Morphology of third molar teeth with incompletely formed apices on the basis of panoramic radiograms.

Third molar teeth are causative factors of many oral pathologies. Lower third molars are the most often retained teeth and the origin of considerable pain. The aim of the study is a presentation of the morphology of third molars with incompletely formed apices on the basis of panoramic radiograms. The material comprised routine panoramic radiograms taken in the years 1996-2000. In the cases where third molars with incompletely formed apices were found, there was determined the location of the teeth in the alveolar process. The angle between occlusal plane and tooth axis was measured, which allowed determination of angularity of the teeth. Retromolar space width ratio was also calculated as a prognostic radiographic feature on which an estimation of future eruption of mandibular third molars could be based. In retained teeth the reasons for impaction, such as incorrect angularity, insufficient retromolar space, presence of pathological lesions impeding eruption, were analysed. Panoramic radiograms proved useful in diagnostics of morphology of third molars with incompletely formed apices.