Prevalence of Impacted Third Molar Teeth among Andhra Population in Bhimavaram, India – A Retrospective study of 4 Years

Introduction: An impacted tooth is one that cannot, or will not erupt into its normal occlusal position, and is therefore pathologic and requires treatment. Missing teeth and teeth not erupting into its desirable position is a routine phenomenon for dentists and distressing phenomenon for patients. An impacted tooth is prone to cause distal caries of second molar in some cases depending upon the angulation of impacted tooth. Tooth impacted also cause pain, food lodgment, gum swelling, formation of cysts by enlargement of follicular space. As such, it is advisable to extract the impacted tooth at the earliest. Considerable debate exists in the literature regarding prophylactic removal of impacted third molar teeth. Aims and Objective: 1. To assess the prevalence of impacted third molar teeth 2. To assess the most common age group and gender associated with impacted third molars 3. To assess the most common site of impacted third molars i.e., mandible vs maxilla 4. To compare the results with similar studies conducted elsewhere Material and Methods: The study design being retrospective with descriptive analysis of data included 2950 orthopantograms of patients aged between 16 to 45 years of age. Patients who presented for oral care during the period from June 2010 to June 2014 were included in the study. The parameters were standardized for evaluation of radiographs, analysis of data. All panoramic radiographs were taken with standardized equipment and specifications. The tooth was considered impacted when it was not aligned with the rest of the teeth in occlusion. Data regarding age, sex, number of impacted teeth, arch involved, and type of impaction were obtained from patients’ records and panoramic radiographs were individually examined. Results: Of the total 2950 orthopantograms, 600 patients (20.33%) had impacted molar teeth either in maxillary or mandibular arch or in both the arches. Percentage of mandibular impacted teeth was more than maxillary molar impactions in the ration of 1.7:1. 53 percent of impacted teeth were seen in mandible and 31 percent third molar teeth were impacted in maxilla. 16 percent were impacted molar teeth in both maxillary and mandibular arches. The prevalence of impacted third molar teeth was higher in males as compared to females. While males has 65 percent impacted third molars, the percentage of impacted third molar teeth in females was 35 percent. Highest prevalence of impacted third molar teeth in either of the arches or in both the arches was seen in 16-25 years of age group (51.33%). Conclusion: 1. Males had higher incidence of impacted third molars 2. Third molar impaction was a frequent finding in mandible as compared to maxilla 3. 16-25 years of age group was significantly affected with impacted third molars. 4. Percentage of impacted third molars is different in different parts of the world