title: The frequency of non-syndromic distomolar teeth in a Greek population sample?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the frequency of non-syndromic distomolars in a Greek population sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population of this retrospective study consisted of 859 Orthopantomograms (OPGs) of 425 male and 434 female patients, attended the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Dental School of Athens seeking for treatment. The OPGs were taken as a part of the patients treatment planning. Patients' mean age was 33.57 years. Exclusion criteria from this study was cleft lip ± palate and diseases associated with systemic conditions and syndromes (such as cleidocranial dysplasia and Gardner syndrome). OPGs were only included in the study if at least one 3rd molar was present. The data collected were the number of 3rd molars, the number of distomolars, the age and the gender of each patient, information concerning previous extraction of 3rd molars. Statistical evaluation of the data included descriptive and bivariate analyses (Chi-square test and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient). In an attempt to further estimate the correlation between the presence of upper and lower 3rd conditions we assumed that the absence of 3rd molars, the presence of 3rd molars, and the presence of distomolars was ordinal in nature and we calculated the Spearman Correlation Coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of distomolars was greater in the maxilla than in the mandible. In the maxilla the distomolars were located almost equally in both left and right side. It was more possible lower left distomolars to be present in males than in females. Furthermore, males present higher prevalence of supernumerary teeth than females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early radiographic diagnosis of distomolars is fundamental so as to prevent complications such malocclusion, delayed eruption or displacement root or/ and resorption of adjacent teeth, pulp necrosis, follicular cyst, pain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Non syndromic, distomolars, supernumerary molars, fourth molars.
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc DMFR, MSc FO, PhD Med, PhD Dent, Lecturer, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Dental School University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitsea
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc, MSc, PhD Dent, Clinical Associate, Hospital Dentistry, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Emanouel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vardas
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc Postgraduate student, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Dental School University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papachatzopoulou
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc Postgraduate student, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Dental School University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kalfountzos
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc, PhD Dent, Clinical Associate, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Minas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leventis
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc, PhD Dent, Professor and Head, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Dental School University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsiklakis