Relationship Between Third Molar Impaction Patterns and Facial Types in Tanzanian Adults

Aim: To determine the prevalence and distribution of third molar impaction patterns using the Pell and Gregory classification and to examine their association with facial pattern among Tanzanian patients.Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included ۲۵۸ participants (۱۴۷ females, ۱۱۱ males) with mean age of ۳۳.۳۸±۱۴.۳۸ years who underwent clinical examination, lateral facial photography, and panoramic radiography. Third molar impactions were classified according to the Pell and Gregory system. Data were analyzed using chi-squared and modified Poisson regression applied to assess associations. P-value<۰.۰۵ was considered as significant.Results: The prevalence of third molar impaction was ۶۱.۶%. Class II impaction was most common (۲۸.۳%), followed by Class I (۲۷.۵%) and Class III (۵.۸%). Most participants had a Class I facial pattern (۶۶.۳%). There was a significant association between facial pattern and third molar impaction (P=۰.۰۳۹), but no significant relationship was found between third molar impaction and sex, overjet, or anterior crossbite.Conclusion: Third molar impaction is highly prevalent among Tanzanian orthodontic patients, with Class II impaction being the predominant type. Although facial pattern showed some association with impaction class, no significant correlation was observed with malocclusion variables.

کلیدواژه ها:

Facial Profile ، Malocclusion ، Orthodontics ، Tooth Impaction ، third molar