Assessment of Different Patterns of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and their Associated Pathologies

Background: The most common impacted tooth is mandibular third molar. The knowledge and assessment of its different angulations, positions, patterns and their associated pathologies help the surgeons not only to decide about the prophylac tic removal of impacted mandibular third molars but also help in better management planning for the associated pathologies. Objective: To enlist different patterns of mandibular third molar impactions and their associated pathologies in patients presenting at a tertiary care centre. Material and Methods: A total of 250 patients with 393 impacted mandibular third molars were assessed by history, clinical and radiographic examination. Patterns of mandibular third molar imp actions and associated pathologies were assessed by classification systems developed by Win ter and Pell & Gregory on periapical and panoramic radiographs. Results: The most frequent pattern of impaction was mesioangular (37.6 %), with Class II ramus relation (53.2 %) and Posit ion A depth (62.8 %). A total of 329 pathologies were seen in 250 patients. Dental carie s (38.53 %), followed by pericoronitis was the most common (29.36 %). The overall frequency of cysts and tumours with impacted mandibular third molars was low. Conclusion: Third molars with the unfavourable angulations, pa tterns and positions should be removed prophylactically to pre vent the patients from associated pathologies.