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"The aim of this study was to analyze factors indicating preventive removal of mandibular third molars by determining associated symptoms, pathologies, eruption state, position and angulation types of mandibular third molars.

A retrospective study was made of 436 patients(200 females, 236 males), aged between 12 and 81 years (mean: 29.93 years) undergoing panoramic radiographic examinations. Total 700 mandibular third molars were analyzed. They were divided by age, sex, position and angulation of mandibular third molars, bony coverage, and associated pathologies- caries, pericoronitis, periodontitis, cyst, root resorption of adjacent teeth. Among 409 pathologies associated with mandibular third molars, pericoronitis accounted for 34.2%(140 cases), which was the most common lesion, caries in the second and third molars for 28.9%, caries in the second molars for 11%(45 cases). Periodontitis showed in 7%(29 cases). In 4 cases, root resorption of adjecent tooth showed. The position which showed predominant pathologic lesion according to the Pell and Gregory classification was ‡UA(86.5%), followed by ‡UB(71.6%). Mandibular third molars without bony coverage(64.8%) showed pathologies frequently.

The removal of mandibular third molars must be determined by the perceived risk if the teeth are not removed. The position and inclination of the third molars, bony coverage, age and sex of patients can be the important evidence in the decision making process.
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