RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF THIRD MOLAR AGENESIS PATTERNS IN YOUNG ADULTS- A DIGITAL PANORAMIC STUDY

Abstract

Third molars are the teeth that are frequently congenitally absent, which may be related to evolutionary changes altering the size of the jaw and teeth. Orthopantomogram (OPG) is a radiographic modality that is routinely employed in dental practice to detect pathologies of both the dentition and jawbones. The aim of the study was radiographic assessment of  400 third molars for agenesis in young adults of age 12-20 years with orthopantomogram. This retrospective study was performed on 400 archived digital panoramic radiographs retrieved from the department of Oral medicine and radiology for the comparative evaluation of third molars agenesis between the genders, maxillary and mandibular arches and between the right and left sides. A total of 400 panoramic radiographs were included in the study, in which 79 exhibited agenesis of third molars in males while 65 showed agenesis in females. Maxillary third molar (128) showed a higher prevalence of agenesis than mandibular third molars (77), while right quadrant showed 128 and left quadrant show 126 third molar agenesis. It was concluded that isolated third molar agenesis is part of a developmental mechanism resulting also in craniofacial size reduction. This might be the effect of an evolutionary process observed in humans.