MAXILLARY THIRD MOLAR ERUPTION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO INCLINATION OF MAXILLARY FIRST MOLARS – A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY STUDY.

Dr Radhika N B; Prof(Dr) Krishna Nayak; Dr KU Cariappa

Volume : II, Issue : XII, December - 2013

MAXILLARY THIRD MOLAR ERUPTION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO INCLINATION OF MAXILLARY FIRST MOLARS – A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY STUDY.

Dr Radhika N B , Prof Dr Krishna Nayak, Dr Ku Cariappa

Abstract :

Objective: To analyze the relationship between sagittal inclination of the maxillary first molars and eruption or impaction of third molars using computed tomography scanograms.

Material and methods: The sample consisted of 20 subjects aged between 15 to 48 years who were divided into 2 groups consisting of 10 subjects with erupted/erupting maxillary third molars in one group and 10 subjects with impacted third molars in the second group. The sagittal inclinations of maxillary first molars to the palatal plane were measured in two groups. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: The first molars were more mesially inclined in group A as compared to group B. Effect of age on sagittal inclination revealed increase in the sagittal inclination of first molar as the age increased.

Conclusion: The sagittal inclination of the first molar can be a predictor of the eruption or impaction of the adjacent third molar. Thus the vertical position of the maxillary first molar in the sagittal plane is suggestive of the eruption of the third molar.