Abstract:

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and distribution of impacted teeth and the associated pathologies. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 10,000 panoramic radiographs of patients referred to a private radiology center and the radiology department of the School of Dentistry of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences were assessed from 2009 to 2012. All the radiographs were observed by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist. The number, position and inclination of impacted teeth and the associated pathologies were recorded. Results: Of 10,000 radiographs, 3,374 impacted teeth were observed. Third molar was the most prevalent impacted tooth of both jaws (95%), followed by canine, second premolar, second molar, and lateral incisor and first premolar teeth. The vertical position accounted for 36% of all impacted third molars positions, followed by mesioangular (30%), distoangular (22%), horizontal (11%), and buccolingual (1.5%) positions. The most common pathological feature related to impacted teeth was adjacent dental caries (64.7%). Moreover, root resorption of the adjacent tooth (0.6%) and increased follicular space (0.5%) were among the observed complications. Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of tooth impaction was 33.74%, and the most common impacted teeth were vertically angulated third molars, accounting for most of the cases. In addition, adjacent dental caries was the most prevalent related pathology. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(2) 2015 p.165-168

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