[Histological study of the resorbed dental crowns of impacted wisdom teeth]

Undecalcified sections of 31 impacted third molars are examined histologically for signs of resorption. Resorption starts at small spots in enamel, progresses to dentin and may even penetrate the pulp cavity. The incidence of such resorption processes increases after the age fifty. A prerequisite for resorption is the loss of reduced ameloblastic epithelium. Histological examination reveals multinuclear giant cells and apposition of spongious bone to destroyed dental substances. The results is dental ankylosis. Because partially resorbed teeth or ankylosed teeth may lead to serious surgical difficulties, impacted wisdom teeth without any clinical symptoms and without pathologic radiological findings should always be extracted at a young age.