Pathologic Conditions Associated with Impacted Mandibular Third molar Angulation in an Iranian Population

Introdouction: The aim of this study was to determine the associations between commonly found pathologic conditions and angulation of the lower third molar teeth. In this retrospective study, 370 panoramic radiographs consisting of 724 lower third molars were evaluated for any pathologies according to their angulation(mesioangular, distoangular, vertical, or horizontal). The data were analyzed using chi-squared tests, and a P value of P&le0.05 was considered significant In total,83.6% of the cases had at least one complication. It was ascertained that mesioangular and vertical impactions had higher risks for pericoronitis and caries development on second molar, while horizontal and distoangular impactions had lower risks. There was a significant relationship between the frequency of third molar impaction and the type of angulation. Mesioangular and vertical impactions, especially those with class A impaction depth, were found to be associated with a higher risk of pathologic conditions. To decide whether to extract or follow up on an impacted third molar, the angulation and impaction depth should be taken into consideration.