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Original Article
Impacted teeth can lead to impaction of food, pericoronitis, the 250 patients, there were 152 (60.8%) male patients and
caries, pain, and development of pathology. Therefore, 98 (39.2%) female patients [Graph 1]. The male to female ratio
impacted third molar prophylactic removal is becoming a of the study group was 1.5:1 (152:98).
common practice nowadays.
The patients were divided into 5 years of age groups ranging
The current study aims to compare and assess the from 20 to 55 years. The 25–30 years of age group had the
prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third highest prevalence of tooth impaction (48.8%), but decreases
molars in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) region with with increasing age except in the 30–35 years of age group
the proposal of newer classification of impacted mandibular showed an increase in impactions when compared to age
third molars. group of 20–25 years. The patients were divided into seven
groups, ranging from 20 to 55 years, each group spanning
MATERIALS AND METHODS over a 5 years’ period [Table 2].
A retrospective study of patients was carried out from Presentation of angulations in impacted mandibular
January 2014 to January 2016 in the Dental Department of third molars reveals that the mesial angulation is most
Hospitals and Dental Clinics of Delhi‑NCR region. A total prevalent – 49.2% [Figure 1], vertical position – 24% [Figure 2],
of 960 cases of patients aged between 20 and 55 years horizontal position – 20% [Figure 3], and distal
were selected for the study. The clinical and radiographic
records of these patients were evaluated after the consent
of patients. Parameters studied into the study were an
age group, gender, location of the impacted third molar
(left/right), angulation, position, and level of the impacted
tooth.
They were analyzed for the angulation, position, and depth Graph 1: Distribution of impacted teeth in different gender
of impaction. Only teeth which had not attained functional
occlusion were taken as impacted tooth. The angulation was Table 1: Basic data for number of patients and age in years
assessed using Quek’s adaptation of the Winter’s classification, Basic data for age and years Total
which incorporated the use of an orthodontic protractor to Male Female
quantify the angulation to reduce the errors associated with n 152 98 250
the evaluation by visual impression alone. The position and Mean 28.2 26.6 27.6
level of the impacted teeth were assessed using the Pell and SD 6.6 5.4 6.2
SD: Standard deviation
Gregory classification. The analysis of the collected data was
performed using the Pearson’s Chi‑square test with the help of
Table 2: Number of patients at different age groups
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 18.0) software
Age groups (years) Patient with impacted teeth Total (%)
IBM , Chicago, Illinois, United States of America (USA).
Male Female
20-25 21 13 34 (13.6)
RESULTS 25-30 73 49 122 (48.8)
30-35 28 20 48 (19.2)
Among 960 patients, a total of 250 patients having third molar 35-40 16 9 25 (10)
impactions in the year 2014–2016 were evaluated. The age 40-45 8 4 12 (4.8)
ranged from 20 to 55 years, with a mean age of 27.6 years 45-50 4 2 6 (2.4)
and the standard deviation was 6.2 years [Table 1]. Among 50-55 2 1 3 (1.2)
position – 4.8% [Figure 4]. The transverse position was molar (7.2%) [Figure 7]. Associated odontogenic cyst was also
the least prevalent – 2% [Figure 5 and Table 3]. Based on a found [Figure 8 and Table 5].
Chi‑square test, it was found the prevalence of mesioangular
angulation (49.2%) was significantly higher than other Complications during surgical removal include bleeding,
angulations [Graphs 2 and 3]. damage to the second molar, displacement of root into
lingual space, and dentoalveolar fracture. Postoperatively,
Among the three impaction levels, Level B (64.2%) was complications were persistent pain, swelling, bleeding,
significantly more prevalent than Level A and Level ecchymosis, trismus, and dry socket. Few potential
B additionally, the Class II ramus relationship was complications include paresthesia of lower lip and tongue,
significantly more prevalent followed by Class I and Class III,
respectively [Table 4]. The distributions of the angulations Table 3: Types and percentage of impacted teeth in different
of impaction on the right and left sides do not differ gender
significantly (Fisher’s exact test [P = 0.78]). Angulation of impaction Male Female Total (%)
Mesioangular 73 50 123 (49.2)
Vertical 38 22 60 (24.0)
The most common pathologies associated with impacted
Horizontal 30 20 50 (20.0)
third molars were caries of impacted teeth (35.6%) and Distoangular 8 4 12 (4.8)
pericoronitis (30.8%) with or without trismus. Other Transverse 3 2 5 (2)
problems were periodontal pockets between second and Inverted ‑ ‑ ‑
third molar causing food lodgment (14.8%), caries of second Total (%) 152 (60.8) 98 (39.2) 250 (100)
molar (11.2%) [Figure 6], and root resorption of second
60
0
20 1
Prevalence of impacted teeth in females (%)
10
Graph 3: Prevalence of impacted teeth in females
0
1 impacted due to insufficient space. Third molar teeth
Prevalence of impacted teeth in males (%)
are the last to erupt and have a relatively high chance
Graph 2: Prevalence of impacted teeth in males of becoming impacted. The etiology of third molar
impactions has been reviewed by various authors over the
Table 4: Distributions of the different level and class of years. Lack of space, retardation of facial growth, distal
impacted teeth
direction of eruption, early physical maturity, late third
Level/Class of impaction Total (%)
molar mineralization or lack of sufficient eruption force
Level/depth of impaction (Pell and Gregory) (%)
follicular collision, obstruction by physical/mechanical
Level A 24.8
Level B 64.2
barriers, such as scar tissue, fibromatosis, compact bone,
Level C 11.0 unattached mucosa, odontogenic cyst, and tumors are the
Ramus relationship (Pell and Gregory) (%) common reasons. Higher rates of impaction in the lower
Class I 36 jaw can also be attributed to the imbalance of the bone
Class II 48 deposition‑resorption process at the mandibular ramus,
Class III 15 resulting in either a decrease in the angulation of the
mandible or increase in the angulation of the mandibular
temporomandibular joint pain, and fracture of angle of plane.[4] Pathologies associated with impacted third molar
mandible. are pericoronitis, caries, food lodgment, pocket formation,
periodontal bone loss, root resorption of adjacent teeth,
DISCUSSION and development of cysts and tumors.[5]
A tooth which is unable to erupt physiologically into Third molar impaction is a common pathological deformity of
its functional anatomic position with time is said to be modern civilization. The prevalence of impaction in different
impacted. The normal age of occurrence of third molars populations ranges from 9.5% to 68% according to various
is 18–25 years.[3] More than one‑third of third molars get authors.[6]
Because of the increased incidence of unerupted third molars between the occlusal plane and the cervical line of the second
and the association of numerous complications with these molar. Similar results were shown by the studies of Blondeau
retained teeth, assessment of third molars in terms of its and Daniel,[20] Almendros‑Marqués et al.,[21] Quek et al.,[6] and
position, angulation, and level in relation to gender, and arch Hassan[13] that Class B was the most common impaction level.
is a necessary intervention for better patient management and In contrast, Monaco et al.,[22] Obiechina et al.,[23] Hugoson
decision‑making of whether to retain or remove these teeth. and Kugelberg,[15] and Hashemipour et al.[8] reported Class A
as the predominant impaction level. The different findings
In our study, the prevalence of an impacted third molar of different studies can be explained by the difference in
was 26.4%. Other study shows variable finding depending classification methods used for their studies.
on region. Morris and Jerman[7] reported (65.6%) and Quek
et al.[6] reported (68.6%) a higher prevalence of impaction in a Our study showed that Class II ramus relationship was
study population from the USA and Singapore, respectively. the most frequently occurred ramus relationship class
However, a lower prevalence has been reported by in mandibular impacted third molars (48%), followed by
Hashemipour et al. (44.3%) in the Southeast region of Iran.[8] Class I (36%) and Class III (15%). Class II relation means
Other authors reported rate Eliasson et al. 30.3%,[9] Montelius tooth is positioned posteriorly so that approximately one
32%,[10] Hattab et al. 33%,[11] Rajasuo et al. 38%,[12] and Hassan half is covered by the ramus. Similar results were reported
40.8%.[13] by Monaco et al.,[22] Obiechina et al.,[23] Blondeau et al.,[20]
Almendros‑Marqués et al.,[21] and Hashemipour et al.[8]
We found that the incidence of mandibular third molar
impaction was significantly higher in males in comparison Wisdom teeth have long been identified as a source of
to females. This is in contrast with the study of Muhamad problems and continue to be the most commonly impacted
et al.,[14] Hashemipour et al.,[8] Quek et al.,[6] Hugoson and teeth in the human mouth. The classification of impacted
Kugelberg,[15] Ma’aita and Alwrikat,[16] and Kim et al.[17] They teeth should help the clinicians to determine the probabilities
reported a gender predilection for females. However, Brown of impaction, infections, and complications associated with
et al.[18] and Montelius[10] studies no sexual predilection wisdom teeth removal. It should help in the best possible
gender‑wise for incidence of mandibular third molar. path of removal of impacted teeth and amount of difficulty.
There exist number of classification of impacted mandibular
The distribution of angulation of impacted third molars in third molar in medical literature based on spatial relationship
our study showed that mesioangular impaction was the most and angulations, in relation with ramus and second molar,
frequent (49.2%) followed by vertical (24%), horizontal (20%), on the basis of status of eruptions and roots, the amount of
and distoangular (4.8%). Our finding is supported by studies soft tissue or bone (or both) that covers them, etc. Some of
of Kramer and Williams,[19] Quek et al.,[6] Moris and Jerman,[7] the classifications are listed with their merits and demerits.
Hassan,[13] and Hashemipour et al.[8] who reported that
mesioangular impaction was the most prevalent type of Quek et al. proposed a classification system using orthodontic
impaction in the mandibular third molars of African American, protractor. In their study, angulation was determined by the
Singaporean, American, Arabian, and Iranian populations, angle formed between the intersected long axis of second
respectively. and third molars. They classified mandibular third molar
impaction as follows.[6]
Evaluation of the level of impaction showed that 24.8% a. Vertical (0°–10°)
impacted third molars were positioned at Level A, 64.2% were b. Mesioangular (11°–79°)
positioned at Level B, and 11% were positioned at Level C. c. Horizontal (80°–100°)
Hence, the most common type of impaction level was Level d. Distoangular (−11°–−79°)
B which means impacted tooth with an occlusal surface e. Others (−111°–−80°).
National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery / Volume 10 / Issue 1 / January-June 2019 63
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The classification is based on angulation only. It is easy and 4. Distoangular impaction: Only approximately 6%. Most
quick to use but parameters such as depth of impaction, difficult to remove
difficulty level, nerve relation with injury predictability, and 5. Buccoangular
association with pathology is not mentioned. 6. Linguoangular
7. Inverted.
Pell and Gregory classification
Classified impacted mandibular third molars; first, according The classification is based on angulation, prevalence, and
their position according to the distance between the second prediction of difficulty but parameters such as depth of
impaction, nerve injury predictability, and association
molar and the anterior border of the ramus of the mandible.
pathology is not given.[26,27]
Second, according to the depth of impaction and proximity to
the second molar.[24] [Table 6 and Figure 9] This classification
American Dental Association’s‑American Association of
is helpful in predicting surgical difficulty. A composite Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons classification of impacted
relationship of angulation, ramus relationship, and depth of teeth
impaction can provide a surgical extraction difficulty index, The American Dental Association’s‑American Association of
as described by Pedersen[25] [Table 7]. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons classification describes type
of impacted teeth tissue/partial bony/complete bony types,
Archer and Kruger classification surgical steps and was given particular numerical designation
1. Mesio Angular: (Most Common) 43% and least difficult for it. No description of angulation, relevant depth, nerve
to remove relation, and associated pathology was there [Table 8].
2. Horizontal: (Less Common) only 3%. More difficult than
mesioangular Winter’s classification (based on angulations)
3. Vertical impactions: Second greatest frequency, 38%. According to the position of the impacted third molar to the
Considered third in ease of removal long axis of the second molar.[28]
This was the most recent and perhaps first ever studies to
Table 9: Killy and Kay classification of mandibular impacted
teeth
evaluate the prevalence and pattern of mandibular third
molar impactions in Delhi–NCR region of India. In our study,
Parameter Classification
Based on angulation Mesioangular/horizontal/vertical/distoangular
only 26.04% of the population had impacted mandibular third
and position molar condition which is comparatively less when compared
Based on state of Completely erupted/partially erupted/unerupted to other studies from different countries and regions. From
eruption
our study, it can be concluded that recurrent pericoronitis and
Based on roots Number of roots‑fused roots/two roots/
multiple roots
caries are two most common causes of impacted teeth removal.
Root pattern‑surgically favorable/surgically Mesioangular type of impaction was most common type of
unfavorable impactions. Impacted level B and Class II ramus relationship
National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery / Volume 10 / Issue 1 / January-June 2019 65
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are most frequent parameters. Limitations of our study are that 14. Muhamad AH, Nezar W. Prevalence of impacted mandibular third molars
in population of Arab Israeli: A retrospective study. IOSR J Dent Med
it was cross‑sectional study without randomization. It covered
Sci 2016;15:80‑9.
only a limited region of Delhi–NCR region and also has short 15. Hugoson A, Kugelberg CF. The prevalence of third molars in a Swedish
sample size; hence, more detailed randomized studies have population. An epidemiological study. Community Dent Health
to be emphasized. However, our proposed classification will 1988;5:121‑38.
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mandibular angle fracture? Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol
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Financial support and sponsorship 17. Kim JC, Choi SS, Wang SJ, Kim SG. Minor complications after
Nil. mandibular third molar surgery: Type, incidence, and possible
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2006;102:e4‑11.
Conflicts of interest
18. Brown LH, Berkman S, Cohen D, Kaplan AL, Rosenberg M.
There are no conflicts of interest. A radiological study of the frequency and distribution of impacted teeth.
J Dent Assoc S Afr 1982;37:627‑30.
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