Predesposing factors for the infection of mandibular third molar

ABSTRACT

Impacted mandibular third molar tooth is the most frequent tooth extracted due to diverse group of infections like pericoronitis, caries and irreversible pulpitis etc. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of infections found with the impacted mandibular third molar regarding its different angulations [Winter's classifications]. Among 100 study patients, all subjects were clinically assessed and radiographically evaluated for infections and type of angulations of lower third molar. The data collected on specially designed Performa was analyzed for variables on SPSS 10.0 version. The data obtained showed male to female ratio of 12.8. Fifty two percent patients presented with infection of mandibular third molar at the age of 21-25 years. The most common infection found was pericoronitis [49.0%].Based on Winter's classification most of the impacted teeth were in mesioangular [46.0%]. Pericoronitis was found to be common in vertical [23.0%] followed by mesioangular [15.0%], distoangular [8.0%] and horizontal angulation [3.0%]. Mesioangular impactions were most commonly involved with caries [25.0%]