Pattern of Mandibular Third Molar Impaction and Relationship to the Inferior Alveolar Canal: Retrospective Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis in a Group of Sri Lankan Patients

Abstract

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides a precise three dimensional analysis of vicinity of Impacted Mandibular third molar (IMTM) which helps in surgical decision making.Objective: Objective of this study was to analyze the pattern of IMTM and the relationship of inferior alveolar canal to the tooth in 68 patients presented in year 2014 University Dental Hospital, Sri Lanka. Methods:The study sample included 112 IMTM teeth in 68 patients (54.5 % females, 45.5 % males) with average age of 28 years. Preoperative radiological assessment of IMTM was carried out with the aim of analyzing relationship of inferior alveolar canal to the roots of IMTM, analyzing their morphology, predicting anticipated difficulty in exodontia of IMTM and complications such as damaging the inferior alveolar nerve Results: Pell and Gregory Class I B pattern of impaction was predominant in the sample with mesioangular impaction being the most commonly occurring angulation of impaction. The Inferior alveolar canal was placed on buccal aspect of root apex in 35.7% of cases whereas in 33.9% of cases it was lingually placed. Conclusion:In conclusion the Pattern of impaction and the morphology of IMTM in current study comply with international norms except in few aspects.

The pattern of mandibular third molar impaction and its relationship with the development of distal caries in adjacent second molars among Emiratis: a retrospective study

“…Level B impaction was the most common level of impaction identified in the present study, a finding that is consistent with several previous studies [ 2 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 ]. However, other previous studies have found a higher level of impaction, where level A was the most common level [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 14 , 22 ].…”

“…This last method provides more accurate results and allows the methodology of the study to be reproduced. In accordance with our findings, many previous studies have also shown that mesioangular impaction is the most common type of impaction [ 2 – 4 , 7 , 8 , 14 , 17 – 21 , 23 ]. On the other hand, some other previous reports demonstrated that the vertical type of MTM impaction is the predominant impaction type [ 6 , 22 , 24 ].…”

“…A higher prevalence of impacted MTMs was observed among females than males in the current study. Previously reported findings are consistent with this finding [ 4 , 17 , 21 ]. This result was attributed to the fact that female bone growth stops earlier than male bone growth.…”

“…However, other previous studies have found a higher level of impaction, where level A was the most common level [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 14 , 22 ]. The second most common level of MTM impaction in the current study was level C, followed by level A, making the impactions in our sample relatively deeper than those reported in other samples [ 2 – 4 , 6 , 14 , 18 , 21 – 23 ]. Meanwhile, deeper impaction was recorded, with level C being the most prevalent type of impaction in samples from the Malaysian [ 19 ] and Turkish [ 24 ] populations.…”