| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance of the problem and aim of the study. The prophylactic removal of third molars still raises a significant amount of discussion among scientists and doctors worldwide. Only one study has been conducted in Lithuania to determine the frequency of pathologies associated with incompletely erupted mandibular third molars, but it only included the 18-44 age group. The aim of this study was to extend the research and to evaluate the age group of patients older than 44 years, assess the frequency of hard dental tissue, periodontal pathologies, and additional formations, compare them between gender and age groups, and compare the results with those obtained in the 18-44 age group. Materials and methods. This retrospective study enrolled patients older than 44 who visited Vilnius University Zalgiris Clinics between the 10th of June 2019 and 10 th of July 2020. During the study, the position of the third molars, the pathology of the hard tissues of the tooth, periodontal pathology, cystic changes, and tumors were recorded. The Chi-square test was used to assess the dependence of variables. Results. A total of 517 impacted lower third molars were included in this study. The most common angular positions according to Winter's classification were mesioangular (33,7 %) and vertical (21,9 %). The prevalence of pathologies associated with impacted lower third molars was 42,4% of which 13,2 % were tooth hard tissue lesions, 16,6% were periodontal pathology and 12,6% were radiological signs of cystic lesions and tumors. The most prevalent pathology was a radiological sign of cystic lesion (11,2 %). Significant statistical differences were observed in various variables, including radiological signs of cysts and tumors with respect to angular position, third molar retention and age group, and periodontal and hard tissue pathologies. Additionally, a statistically significant correlation was observed between the frequency of pathologies and age group when comparing patients aged 18-44 years with those older than 44 years (p < 0.001). Conclusions. A total of 42,4% of impacted lower third molars were associated with pathologies. The most common pathology of the impacted lower third molar was a radiological sign of cystic lesion (11.2%). Cystic changes and tumors were most often associated with the mesioangular position of the third molar. There was no statistically significant difference between impacted third molar pathologies and gender, and age. Keywords: impacted tooth, third molar, panoramic radiography, caries, cyst, alveolar bone loss, prevalence. |
