Pattern of mandibular third molar impaction in patients attended the Hawler college of dentistry: a retrospective radiographic study

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess radiographically the angulations and depth of impacted mandibular third molars. In a retrospective study 163 impacted mandibular third molars of 100 patients were examined on orthopantomograms [OPT] in the College of Dentistry/ Hawler Medical University during 2008. From these orthopantomograms the angulations [mesioangular, distoangular, vertical, and horizontal] and the depth [types A, B, and C] of the impacted mandibular third molars were recorded. The frequencies of unilateral and bilateral impaction were also recorded. The average age of the patients was 26.5 + 5 ranging from 20-40 years with a median of 25 years. Fifty eight [58%] of the cases were female and 42 [42%] were male. The frequency of mesioangular, distoangular, vertical and horizontal impactions were 73 [44.8%], 37 [22.6%], 28 [17.2%], and 25[15.4%] successively. The depths of the impactions were 45 [27.6%] depth A, 74 [45.4%] depth B, and 44 [27%] depth C. The frequency of unilateral impaction was 26 [26%] and that of bilateral impaction was 74 [74%]. Impacted mandibular third molars are more common in female. Mesioangular impaction is more common followed by distoangular. Depth B most common and most of the patients have bilateral impaction