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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
The effect of impaction on the mineralisation of third molars and forensic age estimation: A systematic review and
Sudheer Babu Balla1, Sana Hamid Ali2, Asa Priyanka Mula2
1Dentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Australia.
Objectives:
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether impaction affects the mineralization and developmental timing of mandibular third molars.
Methods:
A systematic literature review was conducted, adhering in part to the PRISMA statement and registered in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO: CRD42023454534. Four scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) were used as primary search sources, and one (OATD) was consulted to retrieve part of the grey literature. Methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. Mean differences in developmental timing were pooled for random-effect meta-analysis, and subgroup analyses were conducted by developmental stage and sex.
Results:
Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative review, and five were eligible for meta-analysis. Impacted third molars exhibited a statistically significant developmental delay compared to non-impacted counterparts, with a pooled mean difference of 0.8 years (95 % CI: 0.61-0.98; I²= 81.5 %). Methodological quality was moderate to high, though substantial heterogeneity and population variability were observed.
Conclusion:
The results suggested that impaction can be associated with a delay of third molar development. This delay was more pronounced in females compared to males, together with variations in stage-specific sub-group analysis.
