ABSTRACT
Since remaining impacted teeth may result in pathologic lesions, prophylactic extraction of third molar-which is the most frequent impaction-is among the most common surgical procedures. Our study was performed to evaluate the histopathoiogical changes of impacted molar teeth follicles. In this descriptive study, 54 impacted molar teeth follicles of 50 patients with age range of 15-38, and examined in the surgery ward of Mashhad dental school from June to November 2005, were extracted by a surgeon and pathologic evaluation were performed. In this study, the most commonly extracted teeth were mandibular molars [79%] and 74% of patients were under 25. The most frequent location of the extracted teeth was mesioangular [46%]. In microscopic evaluation of specimens, 61% were unchanged dental follicles, 12.9% were odontogenic cysts and 24% had inflammation. Considering the low incidence of pathologic changes in impacted third molar follicles, it is better not to extract them except in a clear indication. These teeth are better to be monitored by imaging with the 6-12 month intervals