Frequency of impacted and missing third molars among orthodontic patients in the population of Punjab

Background : The pattern of third molar impactions and agenesis varies in different population groups. The frequency of mandibular third molar impaction and agenesis is quite frequent in the population of Punjab. Materials and Methods : Pretreatment records of 400 patients, who underwent orthodontic treatment in the Punjab population (aged 13 to 25 years; mean age = 17.5 years) were entered into the study for checking the frequency of missing third molars and out of those, 200 patients with presence of third molars and more than 2/3 rd root formation (aged 18 to 25 yrs; mean age = 22.5 yrs) were evaluated for frequency of impacted third molars. The prevalence of third molar impactions and agenesis was calculated in terms of gender and jaw involvement. Results : Among the 400 subjects studied, 167 third molars were missing in 104 patients (26%). Among the 200 subjects with more than 2/3 rd root formation who were studied for impacted third molars, 64 subjects (32 %) were diagnosed with 112 third molar impactions. It was found that the frequency of impacted third molars was more in mandible than in the maxilla. Conclusion : These results suggest that impaction and agenesis of the third molar is a relatively common finding these days. Frequency of impacted third molar teeth is more than the missing third molars.