Epidemiological Status of Third Molars in an Iranian Population

Background: Impaction of third molars is a common phenomenon. The incidence of impacted third molars varies in different populations. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess radiographic status (root development degree, angulation, and eruption level) of the third molar in Iranian population via panoramic radiographs. Patients and Methods: ۶۴۷ patients, ranging in age from ۱۷ - ۲۵, were selected from three regions of Iran. Based on their panoramic radiographs, their root development degree, angulation, and eruption levels were analyzed. Results: The angulation of upper third molars were vertical (۴۴.۶%), distoangular (۴۴.۱%), mesioangular (۱۰.۷%), and horizontal (۰.۶%). For lower third molars, the angulation was mesioangular (۴۴.۵%), vertical (۳۳.۸%), distoangular (۱۲.۲%), and horizontal (۹.۵%). The eruption levels of maxillary third molars were C > A> B, and for mandibular third molars they were A > B> C. The order of root development prevalence of the maxillary and mandibular third molars was complete > ۲/۳ > ۱/۳. Conclusions: The most common status of impaction of the third molars in the maxilla was vertical angulation, level C of eruption, and complete root formation. In the mandible it was mesioangular, level A of eruption, and complete root formation. Since the study sample consists of patients from the north, middle, and south of Iran, the sample can represent the whole population of Iran.