Prevalence and Pattern of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar: An Institution-Based Retrospective Study

Classifications of impaction based on panoramic radiographs such as the ones of Pell and Gregory and Winter are essential to allow a better understanding of third molar position regarding depth and bone coverage of the impacted tooth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the position of impacted third molars based on the classifications of Pell and Gregory and Winter in a sample of central Gujarat patients. In this retrospective study, 1000 orthopantomograms (OPG) of the patients who were reported to the Maxillofacial Department of FDS, DDU, which had bilateral impacted mandibular third molars in past three years were evaluated. Among 1000 patients, 475 were male and 525 were female patients. Of the 1000 OPGs studied, the most common angulation of impaction in the mandible was mesioangular position followed by distoangular impaction. The level of eruption of impacted third molar most commonly was found to be at level B followed by level A and level C. The space availability of impacted third molar was seen as Type II, Type I and Type III in descending order. There was no significant difference between the right and left sides in both the jaws. The most common angulation was mesioangular in the mandible. The most common level of impaction in mandible was at Position B and class II type, and there was no any significant difference between the right and left sides in both jaws.