• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.135-137
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• 2011

Impaction of third molar is a common developmental abnormality. However, ectopic impaction of the mandibular third molar in condylar region is an extremely rare condition. This report describes a case of impacted tooth in the mandibular condyle without any associated pathologic condition. Also, this report presents the spatial relationship of the impacted mandibular third molar to the surrounding anatomic structures using cone beam computed tomography.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.18 no.1 s.25
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• pp.79-88
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors which might be related to mandibular third molar eruption and to predict the possibility of whether or not it will be erupted. The material of this study was lateral cephalometric radiograms, pantomograms and dental casts obtained from 70 patients (19 males, 51 females) ranging in age from 18.0 to 32.1 years. They were devided into erupted group and impacted group of mandibular third molars. For the comparison of each group, a total of 20 measurement items were employed and the data were analyzed by means of computer statistical method. As a result of this study, the following conclusion can be made; 1. The longer mandibular body length and narrower mandibular ramus width, the higher eruption tendency of the lower third molar, but the degree of genial angle was not related to mandibular third molar eruption. 2. The lower percentage of posterior mandibular body height to anterior mandibular body height, the higher eruption tendency of the lower third molar. 3. The total tooth size, including the lower second molar, appeared to be larger in the impacted group than in the erupted group of the lower third molar. 4. The arch length discrepancy of the impacted group was more severe in contrast with the erupted group of the lower third molar.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2006

Mandibular fractures have higher incidence rate compared to facial bone fractures because of relatively prominent form. Specially, mandibular angle fractures were known as common fracture site because of morphological anatomic structure. The mandibular third molar appears to be the most frequent impacted tooth. The mandibular third molar have influence on mandibular angle fractures according to it's eruption state. Also, the mandibular angle fracture including the third molar may influence on post operative infection whether the third molar is in impacted or extracted state when reduction of fracture site is operated. The presence or absence and degree of impaction of the mandibular third molar were assessed for each patient and were related to the occurrence of the mandibular angle fracture. The extraction or non extraction of the mandibular third molar were related to the occurrence of the post operative infection in the reduction of mandibular angle fractures. In the presence of mandibular third molar, the possibility of mandibular angle fractures were relatively common. When viewing the mandibular third molar at occlusal plane, the possibility of mandibular angle fractures were high in the class C group. The possibility of mandibular angle fractures were high in the mesial angulation and partial impaction. There was a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). In complete erupted mandibular third molar, the possibility of post operative infection occurs quite often, but there was no statistical significant difference(P>0.05). In the extracted or non extracted of mandibular third molar, the post operative infection showed no statistical significant difference(P>0.05). With the results mentioned above, mandibular third molar was significantly more susceptible to mandibular angle fracture. In the reduction of mandibular angle fracture, it was recommended that mandibular third molar should be extracted especially in case of pericoronitis, periodontitis and other infections.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.492-498
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• 2009

We sought to evaluate the relationship between the mandibular canal and impacted mandibular third molars by using dental cone beam computed tomograph(CBCT) for third molar surgery. A total of 111 patients(177 teeth) offered the images through CBCT and panoramic radiography for the extraction of the mandibular third molars. In CBCT, the accurate relationship between the third molar and the mandibular canal were evaluated. In panoramic radiographies, we evaluated the impacted level and superimposition sign of the mandibular third molar with the mandibular canal, and also, the radiopacity of the white line in the canal. Data were statistically analyzed and estimated by $X^2$-test. In CBCT finding, high prevalence of contact between the mandibular canal and roots occured in the deep impacted third molars, narrowing mandibular canals, bending mandibular canals and cases where the radiopacity of white line of canals were "absence" on panoramic images. It showed statistical significance (P<0.05). When evaluating the mandibular canal and the roots through the panoramic radiography for third molar extraction, it could be difficult to diagnosis accurately. Thus, it is required to have an accurate diagnostic approach through CBCT that could evaluated the location between mandibular canal and root.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 1981

The author analyzed the morphological pattern of mandibles and lower third molars in order to study and predict the impaction of the developmental third molars. The subjects consisted of 37 males and 87 females with malocclusion. The following results were obtained: 1. The mandible was shown to be shorter in the impacted third molar group than in the erupted group, both in over-all length and in body length. 2. The developmental mesial angulation of the third molar to the mandibular plane was higher in the impacted third molar group. 3. There was a tendency for impacted third molars to be slightly larger than those which erupted except Class II malocclusion in female. 4. In the available space for the eruption of the third molar, significant space deficiency was found in association with the impacted third molar group compared with the erupted group.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study is to find the differentiating characteristics of cystic and cystic-appearing lesions that involve the impacted mandibular third molar by analyzing panoramic radiographs and computed tomography images, and to aid the preoperative diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Eighty-one patients who had a mandibular cystic or cystic-appearing lesion that involved impacted mandibular third molar and underwent cyst enucleation were included in the study. The preoperative panoramic radiograph and computed tomography findings were analyzed in accordance to the histopathologic type. Results: Most of the cystic lesions containing the mandibular third molar were diagnosed as a dentigerous cyst (77.8%). The occurrence of mesio-distal displacement of the third molar was more frequent in the odontogenic keratocyst (71.4%) and in the ameloblastoma (85.7%) than in the dentigerous cyst (19.1%). Downward displacement was primarily observed in each group. Odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma showed more aggressive growth pattern with higher rate of bony discontinuity and cortical bone expansion than in dentigerous cyst. Conclusion: When evaluating mandibular cystic lesions involving the impacted mandibular third molar, dentigerous cyst should first be suspected. However, when the third molar displacement and cortical bone absorption are observed, then odontogenic keratocyst or ameloblastoma should be considered.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of missing and impacted third molars in people aged 25 years and above. Materials and Methods: The study sample of 3,799 patients was chosen randomly from patients who visited Pusan National University Dental Hospital and had panoramic radiographs taken. The data collected included presence and impaction state, angulation, and depth of impaction of third molars, and radiographically detected lesions of third molars and adjacent second molars. Results: A greater percentage of men than women retained at least one third molar. The incidence of third molars decreased with increasing age. The incidence of partially impacted third molars greatly declined after the age of 30. Vertically impacted maxillary third molars and horizontally impacted mandibular third molars were most frequent in all age groups. Among the maxillary third molars, those impacted below the cervical line of the second molar were most frequent in all age groups, and among the mandibular third molars, deeply impacted third molars were most frequent in those aged over 40. Dental caries was the most common radiographic lesion of the third molars. Mesioangularly impacted third molars showed radiographic lesions in 13 (9.5%) adjacent maxillary second molars and 117 (27.4%) mandibular second molars. Conclusion: The number of remaining third molars decreased and the percentage of Class C depth increased with age. Caries was the most frequent lesion in third molars. Partially impacted mesioangular third molars showed a high incidence of caries or periodontal bone loss of the adjacent second molar. Regular oral examination will be essential to keep asymptomatic third molars in good health.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.242-245
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• 2013

Impacted mandibular third molars are located between the second mandibular molar and mandibular ramus. However, ectopic mandibular third molars with heterotopic positions are reported in the subcondylar or pterygomandibular space. The usual cause of malposition is a cyst or tumor, and malposition without a pathology is rare. This case report described an impacted mandibular third molar in the pterygomandibular space without any associated pathology.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.155-158
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars and development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Knowledge of the factors that have an adverse effect on the TMJ is necessary for proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of TMJ disorders. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 80 patients aged between 20 and 60 years with impacted mandibular third molars, over a period of two months. The patients were examined clinically and radiologically to determine the type of impaction and detect the associated TMJ symptoms or disorders. Results: In the 80 patients, 63.8% (51/80) of TMJ disorders were found in the horizontal group, 46.3% (37/80) in the mesioangular group, 42.5% (34/80) in the distoangular group, and 30.0% (24/80) in the vertical group of impacted mandibular third molars. Conclusion: The study concluded that type of impacted mandibular third molar is factor in the development of temporomandibular disorders.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.565-569
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the presence and impacted state of the mandibular third molars on the incidence of mandibular condyle fracture. A retrospective study was designed for patients presenting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital and Tae-gu Fatima Hospital for treatment of mandibular fractures from January 2003 to January 2006. The independent variables in this study were the presence, degree of impaction of third molars, and the outcome variables were the incidence of mandibular condyle fractures. Hospital charts and panoramic radiographs were used to determine and classify these variables. The demographic data included age, sex, mechanisms of injuries and number of mandibular condyle fractures. The study sample comprised 136 mandibular condyle fractures in 105 patients. Result of this study demonstrated a statistically significant difference in ipsilateral condyle fractures and mandibular third molar absence(P=0.032) and bilateral condyle fractures without another fracture and mandibular third molar absence(P=0.028).