title: Radiologic variables of clinical significance in the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine which radiologic variables have a clinical significance in the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was carried out on 100 consecutive extractions of unilateral impacted mandibular third molars (60 women and 40 men, mean age: 26.27 +/- 10.63 years). Fourteen radiologic variables were ordinally evaluated, establishing their relation to the surgical intervention time. The Kruskal-Wallis test, a multivariant analysis of the principal components, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and logistical regression tests were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven variables (occlusal plane, relation to the second molar, depth, follicle, periodontal ligament width, ramus of the mandible, and angulation) demonstrated a statistically significant relation to the surgical intervention time (Kruskal-Wallis tests, p < 0.007). Two associated variables, depth and periodontal ligament width, showed the most powerful and simple relation to the surgical intervention time (r2 multiple = 0.307, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The model we propose is a tool that may help the general practitioner to establish competence in an extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar by measuring the association of two radiologic variables: depth and periodontal ligament width.
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Cruces, Bizkaia, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arteagoitia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery