The role of impacted third molar angulation on the anterior crowding

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the role of impacted third molar angulation on the severity of anterior crowding. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs and three-dimensional (3D) digital models of 45 patients satisfying the following inclusion criteria were selected for this study. To calculate the irregularity index of Little, the sum of the contact point displacements from the anatomical contact point to the contact point among the lower canine teeth was measured on 3D digital models. Little’s irregularity index was used to classify patients as having mild, moderate, or severe crowding. For intragroup variance, comparisons T test was used. The Spearman single rank correlation coefficients were used to analyze any correlation among degree of crowding and (a) third molar inclination to base of mandible, (b) third molar inclination to occlusal plane, and (c) third molar inclination to second molar inclination respectively. Results: There were no statistical differences found in all tested parameters (i.e., third molar inclination to mandibular plane, inclination of the third molars to occlusal plane, and inclination of the third molars to second molars) among three groups (P > 0.005). Conclusion: It can be deduced that no relationship obtains among the third molar inclination to base of mandible, third molar inclination to occlusal plane, third molar inclination to second molar inclination, and the level of anterior crowding.

Assessment of the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars’ angulation pattern and crowding severity: A cross-sectional study

“…The results confirmed that there was no significant association between the angulation pattern of IM3M and the severity of MAC. Similar studies have supported this finding, with a study conducted by Gökçe, G. et al in 2021 demonstrating no correlation between IM3M and MAC ( Gökçe et al, 2021 ). Another study evaluated the influence of IM3M on the relapse of MAC in orthodontically treated patients and reached the conclusion that the presence or absence of mandibular third molars does not affect the relapse of MAC ( Cotrin et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The role of IM3M in exerting forces that can lead to MAC has been a controversial subject among dentists from various dental specialties, particularly oral surgeons and orthodontists, for numerous years ( Alnamlah et al, 2021 , Gökçe et al, 2021 ). A study conducted in Saudi Arabia aimed to compare the perspectives of Saudi oral surgeons and orthodontists regarding the prophylactic extraction of IM3M to prevent MAC.…”

“…MAC is widely recognised as a significant concern that affects both oral hygiene and aesthetics in the general population. Several factors have been identified as potential causes of MAC ( Gökçe et al, 2021 ). One of these factors is the availability of space for the eruption of the lower third molar, which was investigated in 2005 ( Niedzielska, 2005 ).…”

“…When there is insufficient space, however, eruption of the third molars can potentially worsen existing crowding in the anterior region. It is worth noting that the precise role of IM3M as an aetiological factor of MAC remains unclear ( Gökçe et al, 2021 ). However, an earlier study conducted by Marielle Blake and Bibby in 1998 emphasised the factors contributing to posttreatment crowding and concluded that if IM3M is involved in the development of late MAC, their impact is likely to be minimal ( Blake and Bibby, 1998 ).…”

Alt Üçüncü Molar Di̇şleri̇n Alt İki̇nci̇ Molar Ve Alt Kani̇n Di̇şleri̇ni̇n Eksen Eği̇mleri̇ne Olan Etki̇si̇

“…7 In contrast, other authors could not find any evidence supporting this idea. [18][19][20][21] Furthermore, in the cases of anterior crowding, extracting the third molars did not alleviate the problem, and third molar extraction is not necessary to prevent crowding. 19,20 Harris 22 advocated that the main reason for late anterior crowding is masticatory forces, not eruption of the third molars.…”