Assessment of Prevalence and Pattern of Mandibular 3rd Molar Impaction: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Impacted teeth, if left untreated, have a potentialto induce various complications. The mandibular third molar isthe most frequently impacted tooth with incidence varies from9.5% to 68% in different populations. The aim of the presentcross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence andpattern of mandibular 3rd molar impaction.Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional studywas conducted over the period of 1 year in which 270 cases ofpatients aged between 20 and 50 years were selected for thestudy. Parameters studied into the study were an age group,gender, location of the impacted third molar, angulation,position, and level of the impacted tooth. The data analysiswas done using the Statistical Package SPSS version 22.0.Results: In the present study total patients were 270 in which61.48% were males and 38.51% were females. Impacted teethwere maximum in both males and females in the age group 20-30 years. Mesioangular kind of impaction was maximum inboth males and females. According to Pell and Gregoryclassification at level B impactions were maximum (66.3%) andclass II impactions were maximum (51%).Conclusion: Our study concluded that the prevalence ofmandibular impactions were common in males than females.The study also noted that mesioangular impactions were themost common type of impaction. The least common form ofimpactions was the transverse types.