title: Assessment of Third Molar Impaction Pattern and Associated Clinical Symptoms in a Central Anatolian Turkish Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the pattern of third molar impaction and associated symptoms in a Central Anatolian Turkish population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2,133 impacted third molar teeth of 705 panoramic radiographs were reviewed. The positions of impacted third molar teeth on the panoramic radiographs were documented according to the classifications of Pell and Gregory and of Winter. The presence of related symptoms including pain, pericoronitis, lymphadenopathy and trismus was noted for every patient. Distributions of obtained values were compared using the Pearson χ2 test. Nonparametric values were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the subjects was 30.58 ± 11.98 years (range: 19-73); in a review of the 2,133 impacted third molar teeth, the most common angulation of impaction in both maxillaries was vertical (1,177; 55%). Level B impaction was the most common in the maxilla (425/1,037; 39%), while level C impaction was the most common in the mandible (635/1,096; 61%). Pain (272/705; 39%) and pericoronitis (188/705; 27%) were found to be the most common complications of impaction. Among 705 patients (335 males, 370 females), pericoronitis was more prevalent in males (101; 30%) and usually related to lower third molars (236; 22%). The retromolar space was significantly smaller in females (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference in retromolar space for the area of jaw (maxillary: 11.3 mm; mandibular: 14.2 mm) and impaction level (A: 14.7 mm; B: 11.1 mm; C: 10.3 mm; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pattern of third molar impaction in a Central Anatolian Turkish population was characterized by a high prevalence rate of level C impaction with vertical position. Pain and pericoronitis were the most common symptoms usually associated with level A impaction and vertical position.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kx0131;rx0131;kkale University, Kx0131;rx0131;kkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Mehmet Zahit
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Adisen
authors.forename: Melda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misirlioglu
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yorubulut
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000209:etiology; D000072281:Lymphadenopathy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010497:Pericoronitis / Q000209:etiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult