Association Between Mandibular Third Molar Position and Recurrent Pericoronitis: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study aims to find if the position of impacted lower wisdom teeth is linked to recurring pericoronitis, a painful gum condition.

Contribution

The study introduces a cross-sectional design to evaluate the association between mandibular third molar position and recurrent pericoronitis using specific classification systems.

Findings

The study will assess 200 patients with partially impacted lower third molars and pericoronitis.

Panoramic radiographs will be used to classify molar positions using Winter’s and Pell and Gregory systems.

Findings may help guide early intervention for pericoronitis in impacted molars.

Abstract

Pericoronitis is a common pathological condition associated with mandibular third molars that may cause pain and discomfort. This condition may be chronic, exhibiting episodic symptoms that last for a few days to weeks and recurring multiple times in less than a year. The operculum covering the erupting mandibular third molars may become obscured by the eruption of maxillary third molars. Such recurrent traumas might exacerbate the symptoms and lead to ulcerations. With clinical monitoring at regular intervals and with the help of radiographic examinations, clinicians can develop the most effective treatment plan.

This study aims to determine the association between mandibular third molar position and recurrent pericoronitis.

This cross-sectional study will include 200 patients having partially impacted mandibular third molar with recurrent pericoronitis. Patients aged 18-40 years with occurrence of pericoronitis will be included in this study. The impacted tooth’s side and the symptoms associated with pericoronitis will be recorded during clinical examination. All these patients will be evaluated using panoramic radiographs to assess the position of the unerupted/impacted mandibular third molar.

The duration of this study will be 6 months from October 2025 to April 2026. Approval for this study has been granted by the institutional ethics committee of Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (deemed to be university), Sawangi, Wardha (DMIHER (DU)/IEC/2024/53). In panoramic radiographs, the impaction status of the mandibular third molar will be evaluated based on Winter’s and Pell and Gregory classification systems. Patients’ data will be recorded and analyzed for statistical significance.

The detection of the position and intervention at the early stage for pericoronitis in individuals with impacted third molars is vital.

PRR1-10.2196/72682