Mandibular third molar angulation in extraction and non extraction orthodontic cases

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the angulation of mandibular third molar in orthodontic cases which are planned for extraction and non extraction. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which pre-treatment panoramic radiographs of 49 patients, age range 11–26 years were taken from the OPD of Department of Orthodontics, Dr. Ishrat- ul -Ebad Khan Institute of Oral and Health Sciences [DIKIOHS], Dow University of Health Sciences. The angles between the long axis of the second and third molars were measured. Descriptive statistics were applied. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for intergroup comparison extraction and non extraction cases. Results: This study consists of 49 patients with mean age of 17.94 years. Over all result concluded that mandibular third molar angulations were from 8–94° in extraction cases and 10–73° in non extraction cases. However, the pre-treatment 3rd molar angulation differences in extraction and non extraction cases were statistically insignificant with p-value >0.05. Conclusions: This study evaluates third molar angulations in pre-treatment cases, the differences in angulation were like other morphological differences but changes in angulation after treatment may or may not be related to extractions