Angulation of mandibular third molars as a predictive factor for pericoronitis

The aims of this study were to investigate the association between pericoronitis and the angular position, state of eruption, and the depth of impaction of mandibular third molars as well as to compare these findings with similar studies.

A total of 242 patients ranging in age from 18 to 41 years of age suffering from pericoronitis were examined. Subjective and objective observations were recorded on a checklist that included the name, age, gender, type of pericoronitis and state of eruption, position of the affected tooth for each patient as well as any radiographic changes in the mandibular third molars.

The peak age for the occurrence of pericoronitis was in the 21-25 year-old age group. The soft tissues adjacent to vertically inclined, partially erupted mandibular third molars at the level of or above the occlusal plane were the most commonly affected. There was a statistically significant association between radiographic changes and the mesioangular position of the tooth (p<0.002) and the age group of the subject (p=0.004), but the association was not statistically significant between the gender of the subject, type of pericoronitis, state of eruption, and depth of impaction.

The soft tissues adjacent to vertically inclined, partially erupted mandibular third molars were more frequently affected by pericoronitis than teeth that are soft tissue impacted or erupted. Mesioangular erupted third molars were the teeth most frequently associated with bone loss.

The soft tissues at highest risk of developing pericoronitis are those adjacent to mandibular third molars that are partially erupted, in a vertical position, and erupted to the level of or above the occlusal plane.