Radiographic evaluation of the status of third molars in the Asian-Indian students.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and agenesis of third molars, their impaction status, and the time and sequence of their eruption in the students of Asian-Indian population.


METHODS
One hundred students with ages ranging from 17.5 to 20.0 years were randomly selected. This age group was selected because this is the age at which third molars normally begin to erupt. Students who had undergone any tooth extraction or orthodontic treatment previously were not included in the study.


RESULTS
The incidence of congenital missing third molars was 11.5%, with a higher incidence in females. Of the third molars present, 31% were in mesioangular position, 42% were in the vertical position, 27% were in the distoangular position, and none were in the horizontal position. Of the 354 teeth examined, 24% of teeth were found to be erupted and 76% were in various stages of eruption. The level of eruption of third molars was 27% at A; 39%, B; and 34%, C.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study showed that at the baseline (mean age, 19.3 years), 24% of third molars were erupted, 76% were in various stages of eruption, and 11.5% were congenitally missing in the Asian-Indian student population.
Sandhu
Sumeet
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Amritsar, India. sumeet_sandhu@hotmail.com
Kaur
Tejinder
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000848:Anodontia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging