Pattern of third molar impaction: frequency and types among patients attending urban teaching hospital of Karachi

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study was to determine the frequency and type of third molar impaction between 15 years and above age group of patients attending the outpatient's department of Bahria University Dental Hospital. This is a cross sectional study conducted from January 2012 to November 2013. The subjects were investigated and examined for third molar position, angle and impaction were re-corded. Chi Square test was used to analyze the association of impaction of third molar with respect to gender. A total 169 patients participated in the study; out of which majority were male that is 130 [76.9%] and 39 [23.1%] were females. The overall prevalence of impacted third molar was 169 [26%] with mean age of 29.17 +/- years and [STD] +/- 10.7. Study results showed that majority of the impacted teeth were present in mandible 32 [72.7%] than in the maxilla 12 [27.27%]. Majority of the impacted third molars were present in both maxillary and mandibular arch in the age group of 15-25 years. Furthermore, mesioangular impaction was the most common of all impacted third molars. It is concluded that impacted third molar is predominantly seen in mandibular arch than maxillary. The mesioangular impaction was the most common