CAUSES OF REMOVAL OF IMPACTED MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR IN PATIENTS VISITING PESHAWAR DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, PESHAWAR

Abstract

Objective: To determine the primary reasons for the removal of impacted mandibular third molars

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar using Non-probability consecutive sampling technique on 131 participants. Patients aged 15 and above, Pakistani nationals of both genders, with impacted mandibular third molars, and who consented to participate were included. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and clinical records, with informed consent obtained from each participant. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test.

Results: The study included 131 participants, with a mean age of 31.90±10.67 years. Pericoronitis was the most common reason for extraction, accounting for 35.11% of cases, followed by caries (25.95%) and chronic periodontitis (10.69%). Gender-based analysis revealed no significant differences in the frequency of caries, chronic periodontitis, cysts, tooth fracture, periapical pathology, or tumors between males and females. However, a higher proportion of males exhibited external resorption of the adjacent tooth compared to females (15.49% vs. 3.33%).

Conclusion: Pericoronitis was the primary reason for extracting impacted mandibular third molars, followed by caries and chronic periodontitis. Other reasons included external resorption, periapical pathology, cysts, tumors, and tooth fracture.