Association of mandibular third molar impaction with mandibular second molar root resorption

ABSTRACT

A two year retrospective study was conducted to find the association of mandibular third molar im-paction with the root resorption of mandibular second molar tooth at Oral Surgery Department of Baqai Dental College and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi from July 2003 to July 2005. The impactions were diagnosed on the basis of radiograph Orthopantomogram [OPG]. The status of the third molar impaction was classified according to Pell Gregory as A,B,C and 1,2,3. Root resorption of second molar was assessed on the basis of discontinuity and irregularity of the root surface and loss of tooth substance at the cervical region, lateral side, or apex. Age and gender distribution was evaluated by using chi-square test. The sample size was 125 [n]. Mean Age was 28.2. Male to Female ratio was 23.The incidence of radiographic superimposition of the second molar on the third molar was 75/125 [60%]. Root formation of impacted third molar was found to be significantly associated with root resorption of adjacent second molars with p-value < 0.05 at 95% Cl and likelihood ratio of 44.17. Ramus relationship of impacted third molar showed a significant association with root resorption of adjacentsecond molar with p-value < 0.05 at 95% Cl and likelihood ration of 14.9. Early detection of resorption and early removal of third molar can save future complications