title: An evaluation of pathologic changes in the follicle of impacted mandibular third molars.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early pathologic changes in the follicular tissue of completely impacted mandibular third molar.
  
  
  METHODS
  52 patients, between 18 and 52 years of age of which 25 were males and 27 were females, were selected. They had impacted mandibular third molars, which were indicated for extraction. After extraction, the follicle was sent for a histopathological evaluation to two different oral pathologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that 80.8% of the specimen had normal follicles. 11.5% specimen suggested cystic changes while 7.7% suggested infected follicle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is desirable to consider prophylactic removal of impacted mandibular third molar presenting at a younger age, whereas their removal remains an enigma for the older age group and should only be considered appropriate in those cases where frank causes for its removal are established.
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Aruna Azhar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tambuwala
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh Gulabchand
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Oswal
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rushikesh Suresh
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Desale
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Nitin Prakash
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Oswal
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Prashant Edwin
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mall
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Aatif Riyaz
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Aniket Tarachand
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Pujari
keywords: Follicular tissue; impacted third molar; pathology