Improvement of the Impacted Level of Lower Third Molars After Orthodontic Treatment

OBJECTIVES: The early or delayed surgical removal of an asymptomatic lower third molar (M3) in orthodontic patients remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the changes in the impacted level of M3 such as angulation, vertical position, and eruption space, after orthodontic treatment in 3 groups, namely non-extraction (NE), first premolar (P1) extraction, and second premolar (P2) extraction. METHODS: Relevant angles and distances related to 334 M3s from 180 orthodontic patients were assessed pre- and posttreatment. Angle between lower second molar (M2) and M3 (M3–M2) was used for evaluating M3 angulation. For M3 vertical position, distances from occlusal plane to the highest cuspid (Cus–OP) and fissure (Fis–OP) of M3 were used. Distances from the distal surface of M2 to anterior border (J–DM2) and centre (Xi–DM2) of the ramus were used for assessing M3 eruption space. Pre- and posttreatment values of the angle and distance in each group were compared using a paired-sample t test. Measurements of the 3 groups were compared using analysis of variance. Hence, multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was used to determine significant factors that impacted changes in M3s’ related measurements. Independent factors used for MLR analysis included sex, treatment starting age, pretreatment respective angle/distance, and premolar extraction (NE/P1/P2). RESULTS: M3 angulation, vertical position, and eruption space at posttreatment were significantly different from those at pretreatment in all 3 groups. MLR analysis showed that P2 extraction significantly improved M3 vertical position (P < .05) and eruption space (P < .001). P1 extraction significantly decreased Cus–OP (P = .014) and eruption space (P < .001). Treatment starting age was significant factor that affected Cus–OP (P = .001) and M3 eruption space (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: After orthodontic treatment, M3 angulation, vertical position, and eruption space changed in favour of the impacted level. These changes in the 3 groups were clearer in order: NE, P1, and P2, respectively.