Comparison of Periodontal Inflammatory Disease in Young Adults With and Without Pericoronitis Involving Mandibular Third Molars

Prevalence of impacted teeth in a Greek population

“…The second most frequently impacted teeth after the wisdom teeth are the upper canines 1,3,5–7,9–11,17–19,28 . In this study, we found that the canine, with the exception of the third molars, was the most frequently impacted tooth.…”

“…With respect to the surgical removal of third molars, Gelesko et al. 28 reported that at least one had been extracted from 10% of a sample of male Finnish conscripts (mean age: 19.9 years). The number of extracted third molars was greater in those who were older, and this was most evident for mandibular molars.…”

Is There Pathology Associated With Asymptomatic Third Molars?

“…13 Greater levels of periodontal inflammatory disease are clinically evident in young adults with pericoronitis compared with those with no symptoms. 17 The removal of mandibular M3s appears to significantly improve the periodontal status on the distal of M2s, positively affecting overall periodontal health.…”

“…Pericoronitis involving mandibular M3s may reflect more underlying periodontal disease in affected young adults than might be found in young adults with retained M3s and no pericoronitis. 17 …”

Summary of the Third Molar Clinical Trials: Report of the AAOMS Task Force for Third Molar Summary

“…Patients who presented with mild pericoronitis had significantly more periodontal pockets around their M3s than patients who did not have pericoronitis. 20 When examining the entire mouth, they also had more pathologic periodontal pocketing (PD Ͼ4 mm) overall than patients who presented without pericoronitis. On average, patients without pericoronitis were older than patients with pericoronitis.…”