Abstract

XAVIER, Cláudio Roberto Gaião et al. Evaluation of the positions of impacted third molars according to the Winter and Pell & Gregory classifications in panoramic radiography. Rev. cir. traumatol. buco-maxilo-fac. [online]. 2010, vol.10, n.2, pp. 83-90. ISSN 1808-5210.

The third molars present the highest rates of unerupted teeth, followed by the upper canines and supernumerary teeth. Third molars can be classified according to the classifications proposed by Winter and Pell & Gregory. AIMS: The present study set out to evaluate the prevalence of the positions of impacted third molars in relation to the Winter and Pell & Gregory classifications in panoramic radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A documental, retrospective, descriptive study was carried out using the records of 2,629 patients seen in the oral surgery clinics of the Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Bauru/SP, Brazil, between January 1997 and December 2002. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 2,290 records selected in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The majority of patients (61.1%) were female. It was found that 7,222 specimens represented impacted third molars. Regarding position, in the maxilla, the vertical position was the most frequent, followed by the distoangular, while in the mandible the vertical position was the most common, followed by the mesioangular, and in the IIA position, followed by the IIB one. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the position of third molars facilitates the surgical planning of extraction.

Keywords : Molar; Third [Surgery]; Tooth; Unerupted; Radiography; Panoramic; Surgery; Oral.