title: Association between third molar agenesis and craniofacial structure development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this investigation was to study the relationship between third molar agenesis-including the number of ageneses-and craniofacial structure growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 305 clinical histories of patients treated at the Orthodontics Unit of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Valencia in Spain. This included radiographic records of optimal quality. Of these, 40 patients who had agenesis of at least 1 third molar were included in the study group. A control group was formed with another 40 patients with all 4 third molars present. For both groups, a further criterion for inclusion was cone-beam computed tomography records. The cephalometric analysis was performed with NemoCeph 3D software (version 11.3.1.38; Nemotec, Madrid, Spain).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only significant differences between the 2 groups were in the total gonial angle and the upper gonial angle (P ≤0.05), both of which were smaller in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Third molar agenesis is associated with a reduction in Jarabak's gonial angle and upper gonial angle, characteristic of patients with a more horizontal or brachyfacial skeletal pattern. No significant differences were found in other measurements.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate student, Stomatology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jara
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramiro-Verdugo
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate student, Stomatology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Vicente-Corominas
authors.affiliation: Assistant lecturer, Stomatology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Montiel-Company
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Stomatology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José Luís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gandía-Franco
authors.affiliation: Associate lecturer, Stomatology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: bellot.arcis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bellot-Arcís
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000848:Anodontia / Q000150:complications*; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000002:abnormalities*; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D010159:Palate / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D019291:Skull Base / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D014716:Vertical Dimension