Radiographic imaging evaluation of mandibular third molars among patients presenting to private dental college in South India

The most common reason for mandibular third molar impaction is due to reduced space between the distal part of the second mandibular molar and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the lower jaw. The tooth that is impacted is commonly asymptomatic, or sometimes present with various pathological conditions causing pain and swelling as well as pus discharge. In our current study, we have assessed the patterns of Mandibular third molar impactions using the Orthopantomogram (OPG’s). OPG’s of 150 patients (91 female and 59 male) who were between 18-25 years of age and had impacted mandibular third molars was assessed for gender, the region having the highest frequency of impaction and the fashion of impaction of the mandibular third molars. The study shows Bilateral impaction was more commonly seen in 26.66% of the study population and case of unilateral impactions the most frequent site is particularly in left side 23.33% and in right 19.33% unilateral impactions. The mesioangular pattern of impaction was more common in both male and female and was followed by distoangular, vertical and horizontal patterns.The study showed that there was no gender bias in the presence of impacted mandibular third molars and that the mesioangular pattern of impaction was more common.