[Relationship between craniofacial architecture and retained lower third molar. Its' symptomatology].
BACKGROUND
In a high percentage of subjects between 17 and 25 years of age, retained lower third molars produce various lesions and complications accompanied by symptoms which may be sometimes confused with other pathologies.


OBJECTIVE
Based on the frequency of dental consultations in our community (City of Córdoba, Argentina), we conducted a statistical study in order to find out how retained lower third molars affect our population, and to compare our findings with similar studies carried out in other communities.


METHODS
The type of third molar retention was related to age, gender, craniofacial index, and clinical symptoms presented. Orthopantograms, profile teleradiographs, and cephalometric radiographs were done on 162 patients ranging in age from 17 to 81 years (92 females and 70 males, 270 retained lower third molars),


RESULTS
Our findings show that in the city of Cordoba, Argentina, the presence of retained lower third molars is more frequent in brachycephalic males , with horizontal and mesioangular locations. Vertical and distoangular retentions occur more frequently among females. There is a high percentage of Class I retention, position A (following Pell and Gregory classification ), in dolicochephalies. The most common symptoms are pain, pericoronitis, and caries in the second molar. These symptoms appear between 20 and 24 years old, occur more frequently in females and tend to disappear with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our observations we believe it is advisable to do radiographic studies in subjects between the age of 14 and 25 to evaluate the risk-benefit situation and to decide on the prophilactic extraction of the tooth..
Bozzatello
Juana R
JR
Cátedra de Cirugía II A-Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002508:Cephalometry; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*