Eruption Pattern of Third Molars in Orthodontic Patients Treated with First Permanent Molar Extraction: A Longitudinal Retrospective Evaluation

The aim of this study was to evaluate angular and positional changes in the second (M2) and third molars (M3) of orthodontically treated patients undergoing a first molar (M1) extraction. A retrospective longitudinal study with a sample of 152 pre- and post-treatment panoramic radiographs was conducted. Thirty-nine patients (51.3%) were orthodontically treated with M1 extraction and thirty-seven (48.7%) were treated without extraction. Angulations of M2 and M3 relative to the infraorbital (IOP) and the palatal planes (PP) were measured and compared between the groups before orthodontic treatment (T1) and after the completion of orthodontic space closure (T2). The prognosis of M3 eruptions was evaluated by assessing their horizontal and vertical position (inclination) using different classification systems. The angular (p < 0.001) and inclination improvement (p < 0.01) of the maxillary M3 was significant for the M1 extraction group. The mandibular M3 inclination significantly improved (p < 0.01), whereas the groups’ angulation and vertical position were not significantly different. These findings suggest that extraction therapy has a favorable effect on the maxillary M2 and M3 angulation, but not on the mandibular. M1 extraction showed a signi- ficant effect on the horizontal position of M3 and thus may improve the eruption space and prognosis.