title: Size of the lower third molar space in relation to age in Serbian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is considered that the shortage of space is the major cause of the third molar impaction. The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of insufficient lower third molar eruption space in Serbian population, to question the differences in this frequency in the subjects of different age, to determine the influence of the lower third molar space (retromolar space) size on third molar eruption, and to investigate a possible correlation between the size of gonial angle and the space/third molar width ratio.
  
  
  METHODS
  Digital orthopantomograms were taken from 93 patients divided into two groups: early adult (16-18 years of age) and adult (18-26) patients. Retromolar space, mesiodistal third molar crown width, gonial angle and eruption levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The space/third molar width in early adult subjects was smaller (p < 0.0001) and insufficient space was significantly more frequent (p = 0.0003) than in adult patients. Considerably more third molars erupted in case of enough space in both age groups (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between the means of gonial angle size in relations to the available space.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The retromolar space/third molar width ratio is more favorable in adult subjects. Gonial angle is not in correlation with the retromolar space/third molar width ratio.
authors: Clinic of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. ksenijazelic@gmail.com
authors: Ksenija
authors: K
authors: Zelić
authors: Nenad
authors: N
authors: Nedeljković
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology