3-Dimensional Evaluation of Impacted Mandibular Second Premolars in Association with Surrounding Structures

Mandibular second premolars are the third most frequent impacted. By evaluating the three-dimensional position of the impacted tooth and timely treatment, possible problems and damage to adjacent structures can be prevented. This study was designed to assess the position of Impacted Mandibular Second Premolar (MnP2) as well as the effect on adjacent structures using CBCT imaging due to the lack of adequate studies in this field.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 25 impacted mandibular second premolars. Two radiologists assessed and compared CBCT images to determine the following variables: unilateral/bilateral, position of the crown, root resorption of the adjacent permanent teeth, root dilaceration, depth of impaction, type of impaction, pathology incidence, residual primary tooth, position and distance to inferior alveolar nerve canal and the mental foramen.

In most cases, unilateral impaction was seen (19(76%), p=0.063). Crown position of most of MnP2 was displaced lingually (17(68%), p=0.324). Vertical and distoangular position of tooth were more common (12(48%) and 5(20%), p=0.922). Root resorption of the adjacent permanent teeth and dental pathologies did not occur in any of cases. Most of Mnp2 were categorized under the classification as mild (14(56%), p=0.270).

According to the results of the present study, it is unlikely that the MnP2 of young patients analyzed in this study would adversely affect adjacent structures.