Irja Ventä

Reliability of CBCT and other radiographic methods in preoperative evaluation of lower third molars

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) with that of other radiographic methods in preoperative radiographic determination of the number of roots of lower third molars and their relationship to the inferior alveolar canal (IAC). STUDY DESIGN Forty-two teeth were clinically studied and imaged using CBCT and other imaging methods-panoramic radiography, multiprojection narrow-beam radiography (MNBR), and cross-sectional tomography. Statistical analysis (kappa values) was used to compare the diagnoses of 2 trained oral radiologists and the radiologic diagnoses with the findings at operation. RESULTS Cone-beam CT revealed the number of roots of teeth more reliably than panoramic radiographs. CBCT examination was highly reliable in locating the IAC, whereas MNBR was unreliable and cross-sectional tomography fell between the two. With cross-sectional tomography, the IAC was noninterpretable in one-third of the cases. CONCLUSIONS We recommend CBCT examination for preoperative radiographic evaluation of complicated impacted lower third molars.

Factors predisposing to postoperative complications related to wisdom tooth surgery among university students.

In a retrospective study among 550 Helsinki University students 20 to 30 years old, factors predisposing to postoperative complications from removal of lower jaw wisdom teeth were evaluated. Patient records and panoramic tomograms covering the period from 1990 to 1993 were examined; 50 patients (9.1%) had postoperative complications after removal of a wisdom tooth. The most common complications were alveolar osteitis (2.9%), postoperative infection (2.6%), postoperative bleeding (1.5%), and dysesthesia of the lower lip or tongue (1.1%). Factors associated with increased postoperative complications were mesiohorizontal position of the tooth, deep impaction of the tooth, and use of oral contraceptives. Before patients undergo surgery for removal of wisdom teeth, those who use oral contraceptives or have difficult tooth impactions should be informed about the increased possibility of postoperative complications.

Clinical follow-up study of third molar eruption from ages 20 to 26 years

The development of 412 upper and lower third molars was clinically followed up for 6 years in 120 students, starting at the age of 20 years. Clinical and radiographic examinations carried out at baseline and 6 years later showed that during the follow-up period almost half the third molars originally recorded as partially erupted had erupted. When the lower third molars were initially invisible, only 9% of them had erupted by age 26 years whereas 29% remained invisible. When third molars had been already erupted at baseline, only a few were extracted during the 6-year follow-up period. It was concluded that a certain proportion of third molars erupt relatively late, and therefore the need for surgical interventions may decrease with age during early adulthood.

Predictive model for impaction of lower third molars

The study was carried out to create and test a model for predicting impaction of lower third molars on the basis of radiographic findings at age 20 years. Fifty-six initially unerupted lower third molars were followed up for 6 years. Five radiographic findings in panoramic tomograms at age 20 were taken as variables. Clinical status at age 26 was taken as response. The radiographic features studied were angulation of tooth, development of root, state of impaction, depth in bone, and relation of the tooth to the ramus of the mandible and the second molar. With the use of logistic regression, univariate and bivariate analyses, and clustering techniques, a decision tree was constructed that indicated accuracies of prediction on the basis of single variables or pairs of variables. The most important predictor was the type of impaction. The model predictions and test teeth findings were in agreement in 94% of instances. It was concluded that the model is suitable for predicting lower third molar impaction at age 20.

Change in clinical status of third molars in adults during 12 years of observation

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to follow the clinical changes in third molar status during a 12-year period in patients aged 20 to 32 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was based on a follow-up of 81 university students (32 men, 49 women). They were clinically examined and panoramic radiographs were taken at baseline (mean age, 20.7+/-0.5 years) and at the end of the study (mean age, 32.6+/-0.6 years). RESULTS The students had 285 unerupted, partially erupted, or fully erupted third molars at the beginning of the study, and 150 at the end. On final examination, 115 teeth were erupted. During the first 6 years from age 20 to 26, various clinical changes took place in the status of the third molars. In the second 6 years, until age 32, the two main changes were either removal or eruption. During the 12-year follow-up, 22% of third molars erupted, a few even after 26 years of age; the percentage of third molars removed was 42%. CONCLUSION Third molars undergo continuous clinical change at least up to the age of 32 years.

Third molars as an acute problem in Finnish university students

The study was carried out to determine the risk of acute disease of third molars in young adult patients. The subjects in this case-control study were 100 consecutive university students who complained of third molar problems when making an appointment. The third molars were mostly mandibular, partly erupted, and distoangularly oriented. Severity of discomfort and interference with daily activities were graded by the patients on average as 5.0 (SD +/- 2.7) and 3.6 (SD +/- 2.9), on a scale from 0 through 10. Distoangular lower third molars caused the most discomfort and interfered most with activities of patients. The risk of acute disease in patients with distoangularly oriented third molars was 3.6 times that in other patients. Bivariate analysis showed that if the follicle of a distoangular third molar were enlarged, the risk of acquiring acute disease was 44 times that in other patients. It was concluded that early removal of partially erupted and distoangularly oriented lower third molars is recommended, especially when they are associated with an enlarged follicle.

Long-term evaluation of estimates of need for third molar removal

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the estimates on need for third molar removals made at age 20 after 12 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS The series consisted of 81 university students followed from age 20 to 32 years. At baseline and at study end, these students were clinically examined, and panoramic radiographs were taken. At baseline in 1982, a qualified oral surgeon had made estimates on need for removal of third molars within 5 years; 75% of students needed removals. Actual treatment performed was evaluated after 12 years. A questionnaire served to determine symptoms related to third molars during the 12-year period. RESULTS During the follow-up, one or more third molars had been removed from 67% of the former students. A total of 155 third molar removals had been estimated, but by age 32 years the percentage actually removed was only 59%. Of the 79 third molars taken out at the Finnish Student Health Service, 77% were initially estimated to need a surgical procedure, but actually 66% were simply extracted. Most were removed at around age 27 years. According to the questionnaire, 67% of the students were asymptomatic in the third molar region during 12 years. CONCLUSION Because need for surgical removal decreases during early adulthood, routine prophylactic extraction of asymptomatic third molars in young adults cannot be recommended. Well-defined indications for prophylactic removals are needed.

Assessing the eruption of lower third molars on the basis of radiographic features

To determine radiographic features by which one could estimate whether lower third molars are likely to erupt after the age of 20 years, university students with a total of 84 unerupted or partially erupted lower third molars were followed up. Five radiographic features of each third molar were measured from the panoramic tomogram taken at age 20 years, and the status of third molars was examined for a second time at age 26 years. The results showed that the lower third molars that did erupt after the age of 20 years were initially: 1) root formation complete; 2) impacted in soft tissue; 3) vertical; 4) placed at the same occlusal level as the neighbouring second molar; 5) showed sufficient space between the ramus and the second molar. In contrast, the teeth that remained impacted at the age of 26 years showed such initial features as: 1) incomplete root formation; 2) embedding in bone; 3) mesioangularity; 4) situated at the cervical level of the neighbouring second molar. It was concluded that a panoramic tomogram taken at age 20 years revealed radiographic features on which an estimation of future eruption of mandibular third molars could be based.

Availability of CBCT and iatrogenic alveolar nerve injuries

OBJECTIVE To examine whether the rapid increase in the availability of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has changed the number of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injuries related to the removal of mandibular third molars in Finland. The hypothesis was that the number of nerve injuries should diminish due to better imaging methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS The number of CBCT devices, the annual number of CBCT examinations and the number of permanent IAN injuries occurring between 1997 and 2007 were analyzed. The data was collected from three national registers: the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the Social Insurance Institution and the Patient Insurance Centre. A detailed analysis was made from the cases of permanent IAN injuries. RESULTS The first CBCT device was registered in 2002 and the cumulative number of these devices in 2009 was 22. There was an increase from 555 to 3160 in the number of annual CBCT examinations during the period 2004-2009. The total number of permanent IAN injuries during the years 1997-2007 was 129 and remained stable throughout the period (regression analysis, p = 0.974, r (2) = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Contrary to this hypothesis, the availability of CBCT devices has had no significant influence on the number of IAN injuries related to mandibular third molar removals in Finland. More education should be given to optimize the use of CBCT to cover difficult cases that may give rise to complications.

How often do asymptomatic, disease-free third molars need to be removed?

The preventive removal of third molars (M3s) should be based on evidence. To optimize the timing of removal of M3s, it is essential to predict the eruption of the tooth and, even more importantly, to recognize beforehand which teeth will become involved in pathologic conditions later in life. The first aim of this review was to determine how well physicians currently can predict the eruption of an M3. The second aim was to review how frequently impacted M3s are removed. The third aim was to summarize the indications for preventive removals as presented in the evidence-based Current Care Guideline for the management of M3s in Finland. The prediction of eruption can be made at accuracies from 80% to 97%. In addition, the decrease in the number of M3s is very rapid, with only 31% remaining at 38 years of age. According to the Current Care Guideline, preventive removals at a young age are justified for 3 groups of teeth in the mandible: partially impacted teeth in the horizontal position, partially erupted teeth in the vertical position, and incomplete roots growing close to the mandibular canal. In conclusion, one fourth of retained and disease-free M3s need to be removed preventively at a young age, whereas the rest should be treated according to signs and symptoms.