Third Molar Prevalence According to Extraction Indication and Sociodemographic Characteristics

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the extraction indications, impaction rates, extraction techniques and gender-age distribution of third molars in individuals. Material and Methods: In this study, 1718 patients whose third molar teeth were extracted at Karabuk University and Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry were examined between 2018 and 2021. The distribution of extraction indications, extraction techniques and impaction rates by age and gender were determined. To evaluate the extraction indications of the third molars; caries, orthodontics, pericoronitis, cyst-tumor formation, prophylactic, adjacent tooth damage, periodontal destruction, atypical pain, planned implant criterias were used. Results: 53.73% of the patients were male and 46.27% were female. It was observed that the highest third molar tooth extraction was between 18-29 ages (49.94%). Third molar extraction was indicated mostly due to caries (45.11%), followed by pericoronitis (22.41%). It was observed that extractions performed with indications of adjacent tooth damage (6.93%) and caries (50.27%) were more common in men than in women. In women, the third molar extraction performed with the indication of atypical pain and pericoronitis was more common. The lower third molars were extracted more frequently with the surgical approach (87.58%) and they had more bone impaction (85.32%) or mucosa impaction (71.65%) than the upper third molars. Conclusion: Third molar teeth are extracted because of various indications, among which caries and pericoronitis are leading. There are significant differences in extraction indications between different age groups and genders. Considering the impaction differences of the lower and upper third molars and evaluating the extraction approach to be applied before the treatment will provide easiness to both the oral surgeon and the patient.