Prevalence of Impacted Teeth: A Radiographical Retrospective Rio de Janeiro Population-Based Study

J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2024 Feb;23(1):75-80. doi: 10.1007/s12663-023-02021-3. Epub 2023 Oct 5.

Abstract

Background: The early detection of impacted teeth is essential for the prevention of future malocclusions and possible lesions. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of impacted teeth and associated pathological lesions.

Methods: One thousand six hundred and two panoramic radiographs were analyzed for this retrospective study. The prevalence of impacted teeth, the presence of supernumerary teeth and cystic or tumoral lesions associated, and the type of angulation of third molars using Winter's classification were accessed. The descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test were performed (P < 0.05).

Results: One thousand three hundred and ninety-seven panoramic radiographs fulfilled impacted criteria. A prevalence of 541 (38.7%) impacted teeth was observed, with the female gender significantly higher (P < 000.1). Of the total impacted teeth (n = 541), the overall mean impacted of lower third molars was 55.6%. Twenty-nine (5.3%) supernumerary teeth and four lesions were verified. The angulations most observed in the upper (76.6%) and lower (39.2%) third molars were vertical (P < 000.1) and mesioangulated (P < 000.1), respectively.

Conclusion: The impacted tooth prevalence was 38.7%, more common in females than in males. The lower third molars presented the highest prevalence of impacted, and the most common angulations were vertical and mesioangulated. Only four associated lesions were observed.

Keywords: Impacted teeth; Prevalence; Supernumerary teeth; Third molars.