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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
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Pathology related to third molars in the elderly persons
Irja Ventä1, Eeva Kylätie2, Kaija Hiltunen2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 41, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. irja.venta@helsinki.fi.
Clinical Oral Investigations
|January 17, 2015
Summary
In elderly individuals, nearly all remaining third molars exhibit common dental diseases like caries and periodontal issues. This suggests early extraction of third molars may be beneficial.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Dentistry
- Oral Pathology
- Radiodontology
Background:
- Discrepancies exist between older radiographic and recent clinical studies regarding third molar pathology in the elderly.
- Evidence on third molar prevalence and pathology in older populations is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and pathology of third molars in an elderly population.
- To reconcile conflicting findings on third molar pathology in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of panoramic radiographs from 293 participants (mean age 79) in the Helsinki Aging Study.
- Examination of third molar presence, position, and associated pathologies (caries, periodontal disease, cysts, tumors).
- Statistical analysis using the chi-squared test.
Main Results:
- 19% of elderly participants had at least one third molar, most commonly in the mandible.
- Caries and periodontal pathology were prevalent (80% and 33%, respectively) in existing third molars.
- While serious pathology (cysts, tumors) was rare (2%), all surviving third molars showed signs of disease.
Conclusions:
- Common dental diseases like caries and periodontal disease significantly affect third molars in the elderly.
- The high prevalence of disease in surviving third molars supports the consideration of prophylactic extraction at a younger age.
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