title: Patterns of third molar impaction in a group of volunteers in Turkey.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the different variables in mesio-vertically positioned impacted or erupted third molars in a group of volunteers in Turkey to determine the angular changes and levels of eruption radiographically using standardised panoramic radiographs. There were 213 volunteers with impacted and erupted third molars included in this study, most of whom were dental students. Standardised panoramic radiographs were taken from all the volunteers. The radiographic parameters included angulation of tooth, level of eruption, development of root, mesiodistal crown width, retromolar space, and gonial angle. Statistical analysis was done using the t-test for independent groups. It was found that the mesiodistal angulation of third molars was significantly greater while the retromolar space of third molars was significantly smaller in the impacted group (P<0.05). There was also a significant difference in retromolar space/third molar crown width ratio (P<0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Faculty, University of Gazi, Ankara, Turkey. nmollaoglu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Nur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mollaoglu
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cetiner
authors.forename: Kahraman
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Güngör
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D009805:Odontogenesis; D009811:Odontometry; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000254:growth & development; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014421:Turkey