Third molar impaction in the Jazan Region: Evaluation of the prevalence and clinical presentation

Ali M Idris; Abeer A Al-Mashraqi; Nazim H Abidi; Nandimandalam V Vani; Elfatih I Elamin; Yahia H Khubrani; Anwar Sh Alhazmi; Abdulwahab H Alamir; Hytham N Fageeh; Abdullah A Meshni; Mohammed H Mashyakhy; Ali M Makrami; Abbas Gareeb Alla Abdalla; Mohammed Jafer

doi:10.1016/j.sdentj.2020.02.004

Third molar impaction in the Jazan Region: Evaluation of the prevalence and clinical presentation

Saudi Dent J. 2021 May;33(4):194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2020.02.004. Epub 2020 Mar 4.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Oral Pathology, Best Dental Science College and Hospital, Madurai, India.
³ Department Prosthodontic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prince Mohammed Bin Nasser Hospital, Jazan, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Khartoum, Sudan.

Abstract

Objective: To provide information on the prevalence and clinical features of impacted third molar teeth in the South-Western region of Saudi Arabia.

Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1200 panoramic radiographs (50% males and 50% females) were retrieved from the electronic clinical records of patients at the College of Dentistry, Jazan University from December 2014 to December 2016, and impacted third molars were evaluated. Data on clinical and radiographic presentation were analyzed.

Results: Overall, there were 291 (24.3%) patients with impacted third molars among 1200 radiographs. The distribution of impacted third molars according to the number of impacted teeth was as follows: one impaction in 121 (41.6%); two impactions in 90 (30.9%); three impactions in 42 (14.4%); and four impactions in 38 (13.1%) patients. There was a high prevalence of all impaction types among females (54.5%). Maxillary vertical angulation was most common (50%) followed by mandibular mesioangular angulation (48.3%). The depth of impaction in maxillary teeth was higher than in mandibular teeth. Pain was uncommon (4.5% of patients).

Discussion: Clinically, vertical impaction in the maxilla was present in 50% of patients because of limited posterior space, and mesioangular angulation in the mandible was present in 48% of patients because of inadequate space between the ramus and the second molar. These findings are similar to other reports. Vertical impaction of the maxillary wisdom tooth is mostly related to the discrepancy between the mesiodistal size of the tooth crown and the limited retromolar space.

Conclusion: Noiseless presentation of an impacted third molar requires raising the population's awareness about the need for diagnosis and treatment of the problem to avoid any further complications. The study can be to guide surgical procedures. This study documented the prevalence, pattern, and clinical features of impacted third molars in South Western region of Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Impaction; Jazan; Prevalence; Third molar.