A radiographic study for comparison of lower third molar eruption in different Anteroposterior skeletal patterns and age-related groups

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictability of third molar eruption using parameters seen in Orthopantomograms and Lateral cephalograms. 180 lower third molars were evaluated from pre-treatment Orthopantomograms and Lateral cephalograms of 90 patients. These radiographs were grouped based on the Anteroposterior skeletal jaw base as Class I, Class II and Class III with 30 samples each; which were further classified as age-related sub-groups with 15 samples each and impaction related sub-groups. Comparison was done in these groups, using linear and angular measurements. Comparison within age and impaction-related subgroups revealed that the parameters such as RMS(P=0.008,