A Cohort Study of the Patterns of Third Molar Impaction in Panoramic Radiographs in Saudi Population

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

A Cohort Study of the Patterns of Third Molar Impaction in Panoramic Radiographs in Saudi Population

Mahmoud Al-Dajani1 , 2 , * Open Modal Anas O Abouonq2 Turki A Almohammadi2 Mohammed K Alruwaili2 Rayan O Alswilem2 Ibrahim A Alzoubi2
Authors Info & Affiliations
The Open Dentistry Journal • 26 Dec 2017 • RESEARCH ARTICLE • DOI: 10.2174/1874210601711010648

Abstract

Objectives:

To evaluate the epidemiological patterns of third molar impaction in a cohort of patients living in the north of Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective cohort study comprised of analysing 2550 Orthopantomograms (OPGs) belonging to patients who attended Aljouf University College of Dentistry between September 2013 and December 2015. OPGs were examined to determine the frequency of third molar impaction, their levels of eruption and angulations. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios. Data were weighted by age and sex based on population regional estimates.

Results:

1551 patients (60.8%) with a mean age of 33.5 years-old (95%CI: 32.9 to 34) demonstrated 2650 impacted third molars. Third molars were more likely present in patients aged from 20 to 39 years-old (p<0.001); and in mandible more than maxilla (p<0.001). It showed highest vertical impaction and higher impaction rate in mandible than maxilla. Level A impaction was the most common among other levels by 1365 (53.5%). Vertical impaction was the most common pattern (1354 patients; 53.1%). Mesioangular impaction ranked second in mandible, while distoangular impaction ranked second in maxilla. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females concerning impaction frequency, depth levels and angulations.

Conclusion:

Impacted third molars is still a public health concern among youth and young adults. Vertically impacted mandibular third molars with their occlusal plane at the same level as the occlusal plane of adjacent tooth is the most prevalent pattern of third molar impaction in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Impacted tooth, Oral surgery, Prevalence, Saudi Arabia, Third molar.

1. INTRODUCTION

Removal of impacted third molars or “wisdom teeth” is a common surgical procedure performed in dental clinics. Impaction refers to the pathologic condition in which the normal eruption is hindered preventing the affected tooth from reaching a functional position in the dental arch within a predictable timeframe. The earliest recorded case of impacted third molar in human history was discovered in the mandible of 13,000- to 15,000-year-old ‘Magdalenian Girl’ that lived during the Magdalenian cultural period (18,000–10,000 BC) [1].

Several local and systematic causes can substantially lead to the impaction of third molars. Normal eruption can be distorted or even prevented by the presence of local physical barriers such as an adjacent tooth, dense overlying bone or excessive soft tissue.

Third molar is the most frequently impacted tooth. The reported prevalence of third molar impaction reveals worldwide variability ranging from 30.3% to 68.6% [2-9] This variability can be explained by the variances in race and ethnicity, and their effects on epidemiological characteristics of third molar impaction. While few studies examined some patterns of third molar impaction in the western, central and southern regions of Saudi Arabia [6, 7], none of these studies assessed the patterns of third molar impaction in the north of Saudi Arabia. Hence, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological patterns of third molar impaction in a cohort of patients living in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Study Design, Participants and Setting

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Authors examined Orthopantomograms (OPGs) belonging to patients aged 18 years old or older, who attended the clinics at the College of Dentistry, Aljouf University, between September 2013 and December 2015.

2.2. Case Definition

For a third molar to be considered impacted, it must satisfy two conditions: (1) the roots of third molar are completely formed except for horizontally or transversely impacted molars; and (2) there is no functional occlusion on the third molar occlusal surface. Horizontally or transversely impacted molars, which were unlikely to erupt, were included even if their roots were not completely formed.

2.3. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria were: (1) patient of 18 years old or older; and (2) presence of an OPG in patient record. On the other hand, the exclusion criteria were: (1) poor quality OPG; (2) incomplete patient record; (3) presence of any craniofacial anomalies, congenital deformities or syndromes; (4) previous history of orthodontic treatment; and (5) presence of any cyst, tumor, or other pathological condition in the molar area.

2.4. Impaction Depth and Angulation Classifications

Two main classifications will be applied in classifying impacted third molars in this study: (1) Pell and Gregory Classification; and (2) Winter's classification. According to Pell and Gregory Classification, impacted third molars are classified into three levels based on the depth of impaction relative to the adjacent tooth. These levels are: (1) Level A, where the occlusal plane of impacted third molar is at the same level as the occlusal plane of adjacent tooth; (2) Level B, where the occlusal plane of impacted third molar is between the occlusal plane and the cervical line of adjacent tooth; and (3) Level C, where the occlusal plane of impacted third molar is apical to the cervical line of adjacent tooth. On the other hand, Winter's classification describes the inclination of impacted third molar in relevant to the long axis of second molar. Based on Winter's classification, the angulation of impacted third molar can be defined as: Mesioangular (Ma), Distoangular (Da), Vertical (V), Horizontal (H) or Transverse (T).

2.5. Examiners and Standardisation Session

The examiners were four fifth-year dental students. To achieve calibration and build examiner consensus, examiners were trained and calibrated in a standardisation session held one week before the start of study. Under the direct supervision of first author, each examiner evaluated independently 100 OPGs for impacted third molars, and rated their levels of eruption as well as their angulations. A random sample of twenty OPGs were re-examined unknowingly by the examiners to assess intra-examiner reliability. Whenever a diagnostic disagreement was encountered, examiners discussed these cases and established consensus about the diagnosis. In determining the level of agreement for intra- and inter-examiner reliability, kappa analysis was performed because of the nominal categorical value of variables. In this study, a score of 0.70 or higher was considered clinically acceptable.

2.6. OPG Assessment and Data Collection

The four examiners were placed in separate rooms and blinded to each other’s results. The OPGs were distributed between the four examiners in random order. All OPGs were reviewed in a dark room with an x-ray viewer.

OPGs were evaluated to determine: (1) the frequency of third molar impaction; (2) levels of eruption according to Pell and Gregory Classification for the depth of impaction; and (3) angulations according to Winter's classification for the inclination of third molar in relevant to the long axis of second molar.

2.7. Data Analyses

All data were written using standardised form during the evaluation session. Then, all collected data were entered twice into Epi Data by two assistants in order to eliminate entry errors. All analyses were performed using SPSS package, version 23.0 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL).

Data were summarized using univariate descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, proportion, standard deviation and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) as appropriate. Bivariate inferential statistics were used to detect the relationship between third molar level of eruption or angulation on one side and independent variables on the other side. Due to the possible lack of statistical independence, mixed effects logistic regression analysis was performed to understand the relationship between dependent and independent variables (Appendix). This mixed model was used since there was some sort of clustering in the data. Unadjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs as well as their statistical significance were calculated.

To achieve population representative outcomes, data were weighted by age and sex based on population regional estimates obtained from the Saudi Central Department for Statistics and Information. The level of significance was set at (0.05).

2.8. Ethical Approval

This study was a retrospective evaluation of radiographs. As per privacy and confidentiality, data were anonymously collected without any identifiers. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Board at Aljouf University.

3. RESULTS

3.1. Intra- and Inter-Examiner Reliability

The overall intra- and inter-examiner reliability showed outstanding reliability (κ>0.80). All κ values had a p value < 0.001. Levels of intra-examiner agreement were 0.85. The Kappa scores of inter-examiner agreement among the four examiners ranged from 0.78 to 0.85 for third molar level of eruption, and from 0.77 to 0.84 for angulation.

3.2. Sample Characteristics

Out of 2746 OPGs, 2550 met all the inclusion and exclusion criteria, while 196 patients were excluded at the start of this study. Between September 2013 and December 2015, the study sample included 2550 patients with mean age of 35.8 years-old (95% CI: 35.3 to 36.3). 1651 males (64.8%; mean age 35.9, 95% CI: 34.9 to 36.7) and 899 females (35.2%; mean age 35.8, 95% CI: 35.2 to 36.5) were included. Table 1 illustrates the demographic characteristics of the studied sample.

Table 1.
Demographic characteristics.
- - No. % Mean Age
(Years) 		95% Confidence
Interval
Total 2550 100.0 35.S8 (35.3, 36.3)
Sex Male 1651 64.8 35.9 (34.9, 36.7)
Female 899 35.2 35.8 (35.2, 36.5)
Age 18-19 154 6.1 18.6 (18.5, 18.6)
20-24 407 16.0 22.6 (22.5, 22.7)
25-29 366 14.4 26.6 (26.4, 26.7)
30-34 425 16.7 31.6 (31.5, 31.8)
35-39 356 14.0 36.2 (36.1, 36.4)
40-44 231 9.1 41.4 (41.2, 41.6)
45-49 213 8.4 45.6 (45.4, 45.7)
50-54 128 5.0 53.0 (52.8, 53.2)
≥55 269 10.5 63.8 (63.2, 64.4)

3.3. Third Molar Impaction Experience

1551 patients (60.8%) with a mean age of 33.5 years-old (95% CI: 32.9 to 34) demonstrated 2650 impacted third molars. Third molars were more likely present in patients aged from 20 to 39 years-old (p<0.001, chi-square test; (Fig. 1)); and in mandible more than maxilla (p<0.001, chi-square test; (Fig. 2)). The difference in third molar impaction frequency between males and females were not statistically significant (p=0.508, chi-square test).

Fig. 1. Error bars for the relationship between the presence of impacted third molar and patient’s age (N=2550).

Table 2 illustrates the association between sex, age or affected jaw and the prevalence of impacted third molars. As per the mixed effects binary logistic regression analysis, individuals aged from 20 to 39 had a significantly two times higher prevalence of impacted third molars than the others did, after adjusting for all covariates. Adjusted ORs for the four age groups 20-24, 25-29, 30-34 and 35-39 were 2.79, 2.32, 2.21 and 2.95, respectively (p≤0.001). Impacted third molars revealed a significantly higher prevalence in the mandible rather than the maxilla (adjusted OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.70, p=0.002). However, the differences between males and females were not statistically significant (adjusted OR=1.074, 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.36, p=0.544).

Fig. (2). Error bars for the relationship between the presence of impacted third molar and affected jaw (N=2550).
Table 2.
Bivariate and mixed effects binary logistic regression analyses for patients with and without impacted third molars (N=2550).
- - With Impacted Third Molar No Impacted Third Molar - - - - - -
N % N % Unadjusted OR 95% CI p Adjusted OR 95% CI p
Sex Male 1012 65.2 639 64.0 0.95 (0.8, 1.12) 0.508 1.074 (0.85, 1.36) 0.544
Female 539 34.8 360 36.0 Reference Reference
Age 18-19 80 5.2 75 7.5 Reference Reference
20-24 293 18.9 114 11.4 2.41 (1.64, 3.53) 0.000 2.79 (1.63, 4.77) 0.000
25-29 258 16.6 108 10.8 2.23 (1.51, 3.29) 0.000 2.32 (1.41, 3.79) 0.001
30-34 295 19.0 130 13.0 2.12 (1.45, 3.09) 0.000 2.21 (1.38, 3.55) 0.001
35-39 263 17.0 93 9.3 2.65 (1.79, 3.94) 0.000 2.95 (1.78, 4.87) 0.000
40-44 111 7.2 120 12.0 0.87 (0.58, 1.3) 0.493 0.87 (0.51, 1.49) 0.608
45-49 92 5.9 121 12.1 0.71 (0.47, 1.07) 0.104 0.66 (0.37, 1.18) 0.158
50-54 62 4.0 66 6.6 0.89 (0.55, 1.42) 0.614 0.86 (0.49, 1.52) 0.607
≥55 96 6.2 172 17.2 0.52 (0.35, 0.78) 0.002 0.49 (0.29, 0.82) 0.007
Jaw Lower 825 53.2 455 45.5 1.36 (1.16, 1.59) 0.000 1.38 (1.12, 1.70) 0.002
Upper 726 46.8 544 54.5 reference reference
OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval
Mixed effects regression was used to model the binary outcome variable

3.4. Depth of Third Molar

Table 3 reveals the distribution of patients who has at least one impacted third molar based on impaction depth according to sex, age and affected jaw. Level A impaction was the most common among other levels by 1365 (53.5%) in both mandible and maxilla, while levels C and B were less common. Level A was more prevalent in patients aged from 20 to 39 years-old (p<0.001), as level B and C were more common in those aged from 20 to 29 years-old (p<0.001). All levels A, B and C were significantly more prevalent in mandible than maxilla (p<0.05).

Table 3.
Distribution of patients based on the depth of impaction (Pell and Gregory Classification) according to sex, age and affected jaw (N=2550).
- - Level A Level B Level C
N % p N % p N % p
Total (N=2550) 1365 53.5% 182 7.1% 177 6.9%
Sex Male 889 65.1% 122 67.0% 106 59.9% 0.161
Female 476 34.9% 0.675 60 33.0% 0.507 71 40.1%
Age group 18-19 66 4.8% <0.001 0 0.0% <0.001 23 13.0% <0.001
20-24 230 16.9% 70 38.5% 64 36.2%
25-29 220 16.1% 36 19.8% 46 26.0%
30-34 288 21.1% 18 9.9% 18 10.2%
35-39 246 18.0% 19 10.4% 8 4.5%
40-44 87 6.4% 13 7.1% 12 6.8%
45-49 85 6.2% 9 4.9% 0 0.0%
50-54 53 3.9% 10 5.5% 6 3.4%
≥55 89 6.5% 7 3.8% 0 0.0%
Jaw Lower 714 52.3% 0.019 115 63.2% <0.001 108 61.0% 0.003
Upper 650 47.7% 67 36.8% 69 39.0%

Out of 2650 impacted third molars, proportions of molars exhibiting level A, level B or level C were 83.3%, 7.5% and 9.2%; respectively. Level A was the most common pattern of impaction in both mandible and maxilla, while levels B and C were less observed (Fig. 3).

Fig. (3). Distribution of impacted third molars based on the depth of impaction (Pell and Gregory Classification) and affected jaw (N=2650).

Fig. (4) demonstrates 95% confidence interval error bars for the relationship between the depth of impaction levels A, B and C, and patient’s age. The highest prevalence of level A pattern was among patients aged from 20 to 39 years-old, while the lowest prevalence was among those aged 40 years-old and over (p<0.001, chi-square test). Level B pattern was most common among patients aged from 20 to 24 years-old (p<0.001, chi-square test). Level C has significantly highest prevalence among patients aged from 18 to 29 years-old (p<0.001, chi-square test).

Fig. (4). Error bars for the relationship between the depth of impaction levels A, B and C, and patient’s age (N=2550).

Table 4 shows the results of mixed effects logistic regression for patients based on the impaction depth of impacted third molar. Level A impaction was significantly most prevalent among youth and young adults aged from 20 to 39 (p<0.005). The three levels of impaction were more encountered in the mandible (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between males and females concerning impaction depth levels.

Table 4.
Mixed effects logistic regression results for patients based on the third molar depth of impaction (N=2550).
- - A - - B - - C - -
OR 95% CI p OR 95% CI p OR 95% CI p
Sex Male 1.04 (0.83, 1.3) 0.761 1.24 (0.85, 1.82) 0.268 0.96 (0.66, 1.38) 0.817
Female Reference Reference Reference
Age Group 18-19 Reference Reference Reference
20-24 1.86 (1.10, 3.14) 0.020 8.66 (2.81, 26.65) 0.000 1.29 (0.69, 2.40) 0.425
25-29 2.08 (1.28, 3.38) 0.003 3.80 (1.26, 11.47) 0.018 0.80 (0.45, 1.43) 0.452
30-34 2.95 (1.84, 4.74) 0.000 1.96 (0.64, 6.01) 0.239 0.32 (0.17, 0.61) 0.000
35-39 3.28 (2.00, 5.39) 0.000 2.30 (0.75, 7.07) 0.146 0.25 (0.13, 0.50) 0.000
40-44 0.81 (0.47, 1.39) 0.448 2.28 (0.69, 7.61) 0.179 0.35 (0.16, 0.77) 0.009
45-49 0.83 (0.46, 1.49) 0.532 2.01 (0.60, 6.70) 0.257 0.16 (0.06, 0.42) 0.000
50-54 0.88 (0.50, 1.55) 0.646 2.82 (0.83, 9.50) 0.095 0.41 (0.18, 0.92) 0.032
≥55 0.62 (0.37, 1.05) 0.076 1.57 (0.48, 5.12) 0.457 0.16 (0.07, 0.38) 0.000
Jaw Lower 1.27 (1.04, 1.56) 0.020 1.54 (1.13, 2.09) 0.006 1.36 (1.01, 1.85) 0.045
Upper Reference Reference Reference
OR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.
Mixed effects regression was run separately for each dependent variable.

3.5. Angulation of Third Molar

Table 5 discloses the distribution of patients who has at least one impacted third molar based on third molar inclination (Winter's classification) according to sex, age and affected jaw. Overall, V impaction was the most common pattern (1354 patients; 53.1%), while T impaction was the least common (6 patients; 0.2%).

Table 5.
Distribution of patients based on the inclination of third molar to the long axis of second molar (Winter's classification) according to sex, age and affected jaw (N=2550).
- - Ma Da V H T
N % p N % p N % p N % p N % p
Total (N=2550) 149 5.8% 94 3.7% 1354 53.1% 72 2.8% 6 0.2%
Sex Male 106 71.1% 60 63.8% 906 66.9% 45 62.5% 0 0.0% 0.001
Female 43 28.9% 0.088 34 36.2% 0.850 448 33.1% 0.015 27 37.5% 0.684 6 100.0%
Age group 18-19 15 10.1% <0.001 0 0.0% <0.001 59 4.4% <0.001 0 0.0% <0.001 0 0.0% <0.001
20-24 39 26.2% 23 24.5% 229 16.9% 16 22.2% 0 0.0%
25-29 13 8.7% 29 30.9% 235 17.4% 21 29.2% 0 0.0%
30-34 16 10.7% 4 4.3% 267 19.7% 11 15.3% 0 0.0%
35-39 37 24.8% 14 14.9% 250 18.5% 17 23.6% 0 0.0%
40-44 9 6.0% 0 0.0% 105 7.8% 3 4.2% 0 0.0%
45-49 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 99 7.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
50-54 9 6.0% 0 0.0% 41 3.0% 0 0.0% 6 100.0%
≥55 11 7.4% 24 25.5% 69 5.1% 4 5.6% 0 0.0%
Jaw Lower 144 96.6% <0.001 25 26.6% <0.001 665 49.2% 0.270 71 100.0% <0.001 0 0.0% 0.014
Upper 5 3.4% 69 73.4% 688 50.8% 0 0.0% 6 100.0%

Out of 2650 impacted third molars, proportions of molars exhibiting the Ma, Da, V, H or T impaction were 7.3%, 3.7%, 85.9%, 2.9% and 0.2%; respectively. V impaction was the most common pattern of impaction in both mandible (40.7%) and maxilla (45.2%), while T angulation was the least observed in both jaws. In the impacted lower third molars, Ma and Da angulations came second and third (7.1% and 1%; respectively). In upper third molars, Da angulation came second (2.8%) (Fig. 5).

Fig. (5). Distribution of impacted third molars based on their angulations (Winter's classification) and affected jaw (N=2650).

Fig. (6) demonstrates 95% confidence interval error bars for the relationship between the third molar angulation, and patient’s age. The highest prevalence of Ma impaction was among youth (p<0.05, chi-square test). V impaction was most common among patients aged from 20 to 39 years-old (p<0.05, chi-square test).

Table 6 shows the results of mixed effects logistic regression for patients based on the inclination of impacted third molar. T impaction did not appear in the table since all its adjusted ORs were not statistically significant. V impaction was significantly most prevalent among youth and young adults (aged 20 to 39 years-old), while least prevalent among those aged 55 years-old and over. Ma impaction was four times more prevalent in mandible (adjusted OR=3.88, 95% CI: 2.68 to 5.61, p<0.001). H impaction was two times more prevalent in mandible (adjusted OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.59 to 3.57, p<0.001), whereas Da impaction was more prevalent in the maxilla. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females in all inclination patterns.

Table 6.
Mixed effects logistic regression results for patients based on the third molar inclination (N=2550).
- - Ma - - Da - - V - - H - -
OR 95% CI p OR 95% CI p OR 95% CI p OR 95% CI p
Sex Male 1.34 (0.91, 1.97) 0.134 1.05 (0.70, 1.59) 0.807 1.31 (1.05, 1.65) 0.019 0.99 (0.64, 1.52) 0.952
Female Reference Reference Reference Reference
Age Group 18-19 Reference Reference Reference Reference
20-24 1.21 (0.56, 2.62) 0.629 2.77 (0.86, 8.98) 0.089 2.71 (1.60, 4.59) 0.000 2.08 (0.64, 6.78) 0.223
25-29 0.51 (0.24, 1.10) 0.086 3.07 (1.01, 9.37) 0.049 2.85 (1.75, 4.66) 0.000 2.41 (0.79, 7.34) 0.122
30-34 0.52 (0.25, 1.08) 0.079 1.16 (0.36, 3.72) 0.801 2.69 (1.68, 4.31) 0.000 1.53 (0.50, 4.71) 0.455
35-39 1.26 (0.64, 2.48) 0.505 1.92 (0.62, 6.00) 0.260 4.00 (2.42, 6.60) 0.000 2.13 (0.70, 6.48) 0.184
40-44 0.53 (0.22, 1.28) 0.160 1.00 (0.26, 3.89) 0.997 1.29 (0.75, 2.21) 0.359 1.21 (0.33, 4.41) 0.773
45-49 0.30 (0.11, 0.80) 0.016 1.00 (0.27, 3.79) 0.998 1.28 (0.71, 2.29) 0.407 1.00 (0.27, 3.70) 1.000
50-54 0.76 (0.32, 1.81) 0.535 1.01 (0.24, 4.21) 0.993 0.66 (0.37, 1.19) 0.164 1.00 (0.24, 4.08) 0.999
≥55 0.56 (0.26, 1.22) 0.145 3.39 (1.11, 10.39) 0.033 0.49 (0.29, 0.83) 0.008 1.26 (0.38, 4.16) 0.704
Jaw Lower 3.88 (2.68, 5.61) 0.000 0.66 (0.46, 0.94) 0.023 0.90 (0.74, 1.10) 0.306 2.38 (1.59, 3.57) 0.000
Upper Reference Reference Reference Reference
OR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.
Mixed effects regression was run separately for each dependent variable.
Fig. (6). Error bars for the relationship between the third molar angulation and patient’s age (N=2550).

4. DISCUSSION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological patterns of third molar impaction in a cohort of patients living in the northern region of Saudi Arabia (N=2550). This study gave population-based estimates about the prevalence of impacted third molars in the studied population, and most importantly revealed the distribution of impacted molars by their impaction depth and angulation according to age, sex and affected jaw (maxilla or mandible).

Training and calibrating examiners in a standardization session allowed achieving an outstanding overall intra- and inter-examiner reliability (κ>0.80). As well, weighting data by sex and age, using population estimates obtained from the Saudi Central Department for Statistics and Information, permitted concluding population representative estimates. Applying stringent methodological approaches assured the accuracy and generalizability of our study results.

Approximately more than half of patients (60.8%) with a mean age of 33.5 years-old revealed possessing at least one impacted third molar. Impacted third molars were more prevalent in mandible than maxilla. Individuals aged from 20 to 39 had a significantly two times higher prevalence of impacted third molars than the others did. The higher prevalence of impacted third molars among youth and young adults is a public health concern, in which early diagnosis and prophylactic interventions can be of great benefit in preventing negative consequences on dental and general health [10]

Some studies found females to be more frequently affected by impacted third molars [9, 11], while others found more impacted third molars in males [12, 13] Among these inconsistent sexual predilections in third molar impaction, our study discovered no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of impacted third molar between males and females. To put it differently, males and females are both susceptible to having an impacted third molar, whereas sex does not appear to be a potential risk factor for impaction incidence.

The depth of impaction relevant to adjacent tooth is considered one of the key predictors in anticipating the difficulty of surgical intervention [14] For example, extracting a level A third molar can be easier than level B molar, and level B molar can be easier than level C molar. More than the half of impacted third molars (53.5%) were having their occlusal plane at the same level as the occlusal plane of adjacent tooth (level A). Level A impaction was significantly most prevalent among youth and young adults aged from 20 to 39. However, there was no statistically significant difference between males and females concerning impaction depth levels.

Angulation of third molar is another factor to consider when predicting the difficulty of surgical intervention. V impaction was the most common pattern in maxilla and mandible. Ma impaction ranked second in mandible, while Da impaction ranked second in maxilla. Previous studies showed some inconsistency. Ma impaction was the most common pattern in some of these studies [9, 13, 15], while others were in agreement with our study and stated that V impaction was the most common [16, 17]

V impaction was significantly most prevalent among youth and young adults (aged 20 to 39 years-old), while least prevalent among those aged 55 years-old and over. Ma and H impactions were more prevalent in mandible than maxilla, whereas Da impaction was more prevalent in the maxilla. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females in all inclination patterns.

Being the most common pattern of impacted molars, level A impacted mandibular third molars with V angulation are at highest risk for developing pericoronitis [14, 17]. To avoid the severe consequences of pericoronitis, prophylactic interventions targeting these third molars can be very viable in preventing any possible harm or even loss.

As a rule, all impacted teeth should be evaluated for definitive treatment, which include either observation, sustained oral hygiene improvements, operculectomy, surgical extraction or even ortho-surgically assisted eruption. Before making treatment decisions on retaining or removing the impacted teeth, dentists should depend on clinical and radiographic examinations using their knowledge, training and expertise [18].

Panoramic radiographs are the “workhorse” in impacted third molar surgery, and in the authors’ opinion, they should be obtained for all surgical cases. They conveniently unveil a large area of the dental and facial tissues in one view. OPGs assist dentist not only in reaching a diagnosis, but also in making clinical decisions concerning surgical interventions near vital structures. For example, OPGs allow better judgement of the closeness of third molar roots to the inferior alveolar nerve, the approximate proximity of maxillary tooth roots to the sinus, as well as any potential pathology that would otherwise be missed in more focused fields.

Dental impaction is a frequent phenomenon, and the number of patients referred to dentist and oral surgeons with impacted third molars is increasing every year. The OPG can give important anatomical and pathological information pertinent to dental and maxillofacial structures. The OPG is commonly considered the initial modality for the evaluation of impacted teeth.

Never the least, several factors contribute to the incidence of dental impaction such as the lack of space on the distal side of second molars. Future studies should focus on exploring factors that can prevent normal eruption. Knowing all these factors is vital in predicting dental impaction and consequently preventing its occurrence.

CONCLUSION

Impacted third molars is still a public health concern among youth and young adults. Individuals between the age of 18 and 29 should be examined to weight the risks or benefits for extracting the impacted third molar. Vertically impacted mandibular third molars with their occlusal plane at the same level as the occlusal plane of adjacent tooth is the most prevalent pattern of third molar impaction in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.

FUNDING

No external funding, apart from the logistic support of the authors’ institution, was available for this study.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE

Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Board at Aljouf University. This study has been conducted in full accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.

HUMAN AND ANIMAL RIGHTS

This study has been conducted in full accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

Not applicable.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors would like to thank the kind staff at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology for their help and assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplementary material is available on the publishers Website along with the published article.

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