ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the crown and root morphology of maxillary and mandibular third molars, and assess their position in relation to adjacent anatomical structures using clinical examination and radiographic images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 176 extracted impacted or partially impacted third molars were included in this study. Orthopantomogram images (OPG) were used to evaluate the number of roots, position, depth of impaction relative to the occlusal plane of the second molar, and angulation of maxillary and mandibular third molars. The extracted teeth were examined to determine the actual number of roots. The root morphology was classified using the Alavi classification system for maxillary third molars and the Machado classification for mandibular third molars. Additionally, the number of cusps, crown dimensions, and morphology were analyzed using digital and dental calipers. RESULTS: The extracted samples exhibited a significantly higher number of roots compared to the number assessed on OPG images (P<0.001). The majority of mandibular third molars had two fused roots (37.39%) and a five-cuspid crown (48.70%), while maxillary third molars had three fused roots (26.23%) and four cusps (42.62%). Both maxillary (60.66%) and mandibular third molars (61.74%) were predominantly vertically positioned. Regarding the depth of impaction, maxillary third molars were primarily classified as Class C (65.57%), while mandibular third molars were classified as Class B (47.83%). Differences in crown shape were observed, with maxillary crowns being mostly triangular (36.07%) and mandibular crowns being oval (38.26%). Maxillary third molars had shorter crowns compared to mandibular third molars (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The root morphology of maxillary and mandibular third molars in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina displays variability. Orthopantomogram imaging was found to be inadequate for accurate determination of the number of roots in third molars. The number of cusps on third molars cannot be relied upon as a predictor of the number of roots. The study's findings will have implications for dental practice, particularly for oral surgeons and restorative dentists.
Subject(s)
Molar, Third , Tooth Root , Humans , Molar, Third/anatomy & histology , Tooth Root/anatomy & histology , Molar/anatomy & histology , Crowns , RadiographyABSTRACT
Background: Supernumerary teeth (ST) represent one of the most common developmental anomalies among humans. Objective: In this study, we set a goal to investigate ST prevalence in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian population along with characteristics and complications that ST can cause. Methods: This retrospective study was based on panoramic radiographs, CBCT images, and dental records. Analyzed ST characteristics were: type, morphology, location, eruption state, location in the arch, orientation, and associated clinical complications. Statistical analysis included univariate analysis and bivariate analysis using Fisher's exact test with a confidence interval of 95% (p<0.05). Results: On a sample of 10.237 patients, ST teeth appear in 100 patients with a prevalence of 0.98%. Out of 138 analyzed ST mesiodens was the most frequent (43.47%). The most common location of the ST was maxilla (77.53%). The majority of ST were impacted (90.5%) but with no complications (71.7%). There was statistically significant relationship (p<0.001) between the type of ST and location (mesiodens and distomolars were mostly found in the maxilla). The relationship between ST type and morphology was also statistically significant (p<0.001)-mesiodens was associated with conical morphology, parapremolar with supplementary, and distomolar with tuberculate morphology. The occurrence of ST-associated retention of adjacent teeth was correlated to the type of tooth (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study found prevalence of ST in B&H population to be low. Although associated pathology was not high early diagnosis allows optimal patient management which reduces later complications.
