Evaluation of mandibular third molar position as a risk factor for pericoronitis: A CBCT study

Aims: The present study was conducted to evaluate mandibular third molar position as a risk factor for pericoronitis.

Materials and methods: The present study was conducted on 145 subjects of both genders. The clinical symptoms and signs such as redness, pus discharge, pain, and tenderness over pericoronal flap were assessed. All candidates were subjected to CBCT scan evaluation for a third molar position such as vertical, mesioangular, distoangular, and horizontal type.

Results: Maximum number of cases of pericoronitis was observed in the age group 18-28 years (80) followed by 28-38 years seen in 47 cases, and 38-48 years seen in 28 cases. The most common type of impaction was mesioangular seen in 48 females and 42 males, followed by vertical in 22 females and 18 males, distoangular in 8 females and 10 males and horizontal in 2 females and 5 males. Maximum clinical features of swelling, trismus, dysphagia, and enlarged lymph nodes were seen in patients with mesioangular impaction followed by vertical impaction.

Conclusion: Maximum number of pericoronitis cases was seen in the age group 18-28 years and most commonly mesioangular impactions were observed with pericoronitis.

Keywords: CBCT; mandibular third molar; mesioangular impaction; pericoronitis.