Prevalence and Radiographic Patterns of Impacted Third Molars in a Portuguese Population: A Retrospective...

Background/Objectives: Impacted third molars are frequent and may increase surgical complexity, particularly when the mandibular third molar is in close proximity to the inferior alveolar canal (IAC). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and impaction patterns of third molars in a Portuguese population and to characterize, using a nested CBCT subsample, the three-dimensional relationship between mandibular third molars and the IAC, including cortical integrity and lingual plate thickness. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis of 1062 orthopantomograms (OPGs) was performed to determine the prevalence and panoramic patterns using Winter, Pell and Gregory classifications and Rood-Shehab signs. A consecutive CBCT subsample (n = 205) was assessed for IAC position, contact status (no contact; contact with cortical bone; contact without cortical bone), cortical integrity, and lingual plate thickness. Descriptive statistics were complemented by effect sizes to support clinical interpretability. Results: The prevalence of impacted third molars was 34.9%, occurring predominantly in the mandible. Vertical angulation was the most prevalent pattern in both jaws. In the CBCT subsample, IAC position and contact patterns varied widely, and loss of cortical integrity was more often observed when panoramic high-risk signs were present. No clinically meaningful left-right asymmetry was identified across key anatomical risk indicators. Conclusions: In this Portuguese cohort, impacted third molars showed consistent panoramic patterns, while CBCT provided clinically relevant three-dimensional risk descriptors-particularly IAC contact type and cortical integrity-supporting selective CBCT use based on anatomical risk indicators rather than routine imaging.