Prevalence and Pattern of Tooth Impaction: A Radiographic Study in a Trinidadian Population

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of impacted third molars in a Trinidadian population.

A total of 1500 orthopantomograms (OPG) taken at the School of Dentistry, University of the West Indies, from 2008 to 2019 in patients between 15 and 67 years old were evaluated. From the data collected, the prevalence of third molar impaction, the parameters of gender, angulation, level of impaction, and associated pathologies were evaluated. Other types of impacted teeth were also recorded.

Of the 1500 OPG viewed, 408 (27.2%) of the study sample presented with at least one impacted third molar. 161 (39.5%) were males and 247 (60.5%) were females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.5. There was a greater incidence of mandibular third molars versus maxillary third molars, which had a frequency of 77.9% and 22.1%, respectively. The most common type of impaction (Winter's classification) was horizontal in the mandible and distoangular in the maxilla. The most common level of impaction in the mandible (Pell and Gregory classification) was level 1A. The total number of impacted teeth was 775, and of these, 75 (9.7%) showed other impacted teeth besides the third molars. Canines and second premolars were the most prevalent with 7.6% and 1.5%, respectively. Caries on the second molar (49.3%) and third molars (40%) were the most frequently associated pathologies identified.

The prevalence of impacted wisdom teeth in this study was 27%. These results raise awareness and provide insight among dental professionals in Trinidad as to the prevalence of impacted third molars, their patterns, as well as commonly associated pathologies, and the need for screening within the population.