ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the mandibular third molar at highest risk for acute pericoronitis using clinical and radiographic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients ranging in age from 18 to 55 years suffering from pericoronitis were examined. Subjective and objective observations were recorded that included the age, gender, angulation of partially impacted mandibular third molar, the frequency of pericoronitis in a year, the presence of impinging maxillary third molar, the extent of soft tissue coverage over the impacted mandibular third molar, the clinical signs evaluated in the patient, the class and position of the impacted mandibular third molar, and the presence of distal radiolucency with respect to the impacted mandibular third molar. RESULTS: The results obtained in the study indicate that pericoronitis is associated more in the age group of 26-35 years and is more commonly reported in the female gender. Distoangular partially impacted mandibular third molars impacted at Class II and position B seem to be at the highest risk of developing pericoronitis. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in the study indicate that pericoronitis is associated more in the age group of 26-35 years and is more commonly reported in the female gender. Distoangular partially impacted mandibular third molars impacted at class II and position B seem to be at the highest risk of developing pericoronitis.