title: Prevalence and Pattern of Third Molar Impaction: A retrospective study of radiographs in Oman.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence and pattern of third molar impaction in patients between 19-26 years old attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study reviewed 1,000 orthopantomograms (OPGs) of patients attending the Oral Health Department of SQUH between October 2010 and April 2011. Patients were evaluated to determine the prevalence of third molar impaction, angulation, level of eruption and associated pathological conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the study population, 543 (54.3%) OPGs showed at least one impacted third molar. The total number of impacted molars was 1,128. The most common number of impacted third molars was two (41%). The most common angulation of impaction in the mandible was the mesioangular (35%) and the most common level of impaction in the mandible was level A. Of the 388 bilateral occurrences of impacted third molars, 377 were in the mandible. There was no significant difference in the frequency of impaction between the right and left sides of both jaws. Pathological conditions associated with impacted lower third molars were found in 18%, of which 14% were associated with a radiographic radiolucency of more than 2.5 mm, and 4% of impacted lower third molars were associated with dental caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that more than half of Omani adult patients ranging in age from 19-26 years had at least one impacted third molar.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman;
authors.forename: Samira M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Anqudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman;
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Sudairy
authors.affiliation: Data Management Department, Petroleum Development Oman;
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Hosni
authors.affiliation: The Research Council, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Maniri
keywords: Impacted Teeth; Mandible; Oman; Prevalence; Third Molar
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