RESUMO
Objective: The objective of the study is to determine if extraction of permanent teeth, for orthodontic purpose, causes a change in third molar angulation and also to determine if extraction of permanent teeth causes an increase in eruption space available for third molars. Methods: This systematic review includes retrospective cohort studies which evaluated the change in third molar angulation or eruption space available for third molars among orthodontic patients treated by a fixed appliance with either extraction or nonextraction protocol. Search engines used were MEDLINE, IndMED, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from the year 1975 to 2015. Separate data collection forms were used to extract data from the studies. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the studies included in the systematic review. Results: Fifteen studies included in the systematic review proved that third molar angulation and eruption space improved in patients treated with extraction treatment modality. However, two studies concluded that change in third molar angulation and eruption space occurred irrespective of the type of treatment involved. Conclusion: The angulation and eruption space of third molar improved following extraction of premolar or molar. Nonextraction treatment modality did not cause any adverse effects.