Aim: Our investigation aimed to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of impacted third molars in a sample of Upper Egyptian patients and explore their association with different sagittal skeletal relationships.
Materials and methods: A total of 352 pre-treatment panoramic radiographs (OPGs) and lateral cephalograms were retrospectively reviewed. The patients, aged 18 to 40 years, were classified into three skeletal groups based on the ANB angle. The number and angular position of impacted third molars were assessed. We used Winter's classification to find out impacted third molars angulation.
Results: Compared to Class I and Class III, the results disclosed a higher prevalence of third molar impaction in Class II malocclusions. Additionally, Class II individuals exhibited a higher prevalence of mesioangular and distoangular impactions, while Class III patients showed a greater tendency for horizontal impactions in the mandible. Vertical impactions were more common in Class II individuals. Furthermore, gender differences were observed, with females exhibiting a higher percentage of impacted molars across all skeletal classes.
Conclusion: Class II malocclusions had higher mesioangular and distoangular impaction rates, while Class III malocclusions were prone to mandibular horizontal impactions. Gender-related differences showed females had a higher incidence of impacted molars across skeletal classes. Understanding the link between skeletal class and third molar impactions is vital for improved orthodontic planning.