Three-dimensional analysis of impacted maxillary third molars: A cone-beam computed tomographic study of the position and depth of impaction

• Published in: Imaging science in dentistry Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 149 - 155
• Main Authors: de Andrade, Priscila Ferreira, Silva, Jesca Neftali Nogueira, Sotto-Maior, Bruno Salles, Ribeiro, Cleide Gisele, Devito, Karina Lopes, Assis, Neuza Maria Souza Picorelli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 01.09.2017; 대한영상치의학회
• Subjects: Original; 치의학; Molar, Third; Tooth, Impacted; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
• ISSN: 2233-7822; 2233-7830
• DOI: 10.5624/isd.2017.47.3.149

The classification of impacted maxillary third molars (IMTMs) facilitates interdisciplinary communication and helps estimate the degree of surgical difficulty. Thus, this study aimed to develop a 3-dimensional classification of the position and depth of impaction of IMTMs and to estimate their prevalence with respect to gender and age. This cross-sectional retrospective study analyzed images in sagittal and coronal cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) sections of 300 maxillary third molars. The proposed classification was based on 3 criteria: buccolingual position (buccal, lingual, or central), mesial-distal position (mesioangular, vertical, or distoangular), and depth of impaction (low, medium, or high). CBCT images of IMTMs were classified, and the associations of the classifications with gender and age were examined using analysis of variance with the Scheffé post-hoc test. To determine the associations among the 3 classifications, the chi-square test was used ( <.05). No significant association of the classifications with gender was observed. Age showed a significant relationship with depth of impaction ( =.0001) and mesial-distal position ( =.005). The most common positions were buccal (n=222), vertical (n=184), and low (n=124). Significant associations among the 3 tested classifications were observed. CBCT enabled the evaluation of IMTMs in a 3-dimensional format, and we developed a proposal for a new classification of the position and depth of impaction of IMTMs.