EVALUATION OF POSITION OF THIRD MOLARS IN ADULT PATIENTS FROM BULGARIA AND RUSSIA

Third molars are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and often there is no space for them in the dental arch. Sometimes they induce tension between the front teeth that leads to misalignment in the frontal segment of the arch. Extraction of the wisdom teeth is a questionable choice for the long term stability after orthodontic treatment.
Aim: to study the position of the third molars in both upper and lower arch in patients from Bulgaria and Russia.
Material and methods: The panoramic X-rays of 67 Russian and 34 Bulgarians with mean age of 26 were involved in the investigation. All patients had 32 teeth with no orthodontic treatment in the past. The analysis of Haavikko for inclination of the axis of the third molar compared to the axis of the second lower molar was used. The analysis of Pell and Gregory, which gives more accurate definition of the position of the upper and lower 8ths, was conducted for all the patients.
Results: According to the Haavikko analysis only 9% from the Russians had normal position of the left third molars (angulation from 0° to 10°) while in the Bulgarian group the percentage was twice higher - 15%. In both groups equal amount-around 25% had 75% chance for retention and inclination of more that 20°. On the right side normal position had 23% of the Russians and again 15% from the Bulgarians. Bad prognosis for 75% of impaction had 42% of the Russians and 355 of the Bulgarians.
Analysis of Pell and Gregory showed significantly different results – 1/3 of all patients had normal position of the third molars and good chances for eruption both jn the left and on the right side of the lower jaw.
Conclusion: In the Bulgarian group the retention of third molars is more rarely observed than in the Russian group but when impacted the molars had higher degree of impaction in Bulgarians. The method of Pell and Gregory is more informative and precise for measuring the lower third molar impaction and is a method of choice for best prediction results of the dental treatment.
References:
1. Pell GT, Gregory BT Impacted mandibular third molars: classification and modified techniques for removal. Dent Digest 1933; 39: 330-338.
2. http://www.geemboomba.com/home/classifications/pell-and-gregory-classification
Address for correspondence: Medical University Sofia, Department of Orthodontics, Bulgaria, '' Sv. Georgi Sofiiski'' 1, Prof. Andreeva L.S. E-mail: happysmiles@abv.bg Dr Stoichkova V.P.

Vesela Stoichkova

Orthodontist, DDS, MSD, PhD, Happy Smiles Dental Clinic, Sofia, Bulgaria