Relationship Between Facial Parameters and Mandibular Third Molar Impactions: A Radiographic Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study explores how facial measurements relate to impacted wisdom teeth, finding that certain angles and lengths can predict eruption risks.

Contribution

The study identifies specific cephalometric parameters linked to mandibular third molar impaction types.

Findings

Mesioangular impaction was the most common type in both genders.

Winter’s Class IV impaction was associated with reduced mandibular corpus length and increased gonial angle.

Gender-specific patterns showed different cephalometric correlations for impaction types.

Abstract

Introduction: Mandibular third molar impaction is one of the most common dental anomalies with clinical implications ranging from pericoronitis to crowding. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between cephalometric parameters and third molar impaction types to predict eruption potential.

Methods: A cross-sectional radiographic analysis was performed on 244 patients (132 female patients, 112 male patients) at Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur. Orthopantomograms and lateral cephalograms were evaluated for Winter’s classification of impaction and cephalometric parameters including facial axis, mandibular plane angle, gonial angle, corpus length, and effective mandibular length. Statistical analysis included chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and ANOVA tests.
Results: Mesioangular impaction was predominant (68.2% in female patients, 73.2% in male patients). Significant associations were observed between Winter’s Class IV impactions and reduced mandibular corpus length (p=0.026) and increased gonial angle (p=0.044). Gender-specific patterns included Class I impaction linked to reduced corpus length in male patients (p=0.041) and low facial axis in female patients (p=0.048).
Conclusion: Cephalometric parameters can provide valuable insight into third molar eruption potential. Routine lateral cephalograms may serve as predictive tools for identifying individuals at risk of impaction.

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