OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the association between commonly found pathologic conditions and angulations and impaction depths of lower third molar teeth. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study 1,914 panoramic radiographs with 3,050 impacted lower third molars (ILTMs) were examined. RESULTS: The problems and the prevalence evaluated were caries on mandibular second molar (12.6%), caries on ILTM (5.3%), bone loss at the distal aspect of ILTM (9.7%), and periodontal tissue damage on adjacent tooth (8.9%). A total of 26.5% of all the cases were affected by any one of the 4 pathologic changes. It was determined that horizontal and mesioangular ILTMs had high risk of caries development on second or third molar; in contrast, vertical and distoangular ILTMs had low risk. Distoangular and vertical ILTMs had high risk of development of bone loss at the distal aspect. Mesioangular and horizontal ILTMs had a high risk for periodontal tissue damage on an adjacent tooth. When evaluating impaction depth of the ILTM, class A had a higher risk of pathology than class B or C. CONCLUSIONS: Horizontal and mesioangular impactions were found with more pathologic situations; especially in class A impaction depth. Angulation and impaction depth of the ILTM should be taken into consideration when making a decision whether to extract an ILTM or not.
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the association between commonly found pathologic conditions and angulations and impaction depths of lower third molar teeth. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study 1,914 panoramic radiographs with 3,050 impacted lower third molars (ILTMs) were examined. RESULTS: The problems and the prevalence evaluated were caries on mandibular second molar (12.6%), caries on ILTM (5.3%), bone loss at the distal aspect of ILTM (9.7%), and periodontal tissue damage on adjacent tooth (8.9%). A total of 26.5% of all the cases were affected by any one of the 4 pathologic changes. It was determined that horizontal and mesioangular ILTMs had high risk of caries development on second or third molar; in contrast, vertical and distoangular ILTMs had low risk. Distoangular and vertical ILTMs had high risk of development of bone loss at the distal aspect. Mesioangular and horizontal ILTMs had a high risk for periodontal tissue damage on an adjacent tooth. When evaluating impaction depth of the ILTM, class A had a higher risk of pathology than class B or C. CONCLUSIONS: Horizontal and mesioangular impactions were found with more pathologic situations; especially in class A impaction depth. Angulation and impaction depth of the ILTM should be taken into consideration when making a decision whether to extract an ILTM or not.