Investigation of the prevalence of impacted third molars and the effects of eruption level and angulation on caries development by panoramic radiographs.

This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of impacted third molars and to investigate the effects of their eruption level and angulation on caries formation in the distal of the adjacent tooth. This cross-sectional study was conducted on panoramic radiographs of 38481 patients who were admitted to the Trakya University, Faculty of Dentistry. The panoramic radiographs of 7998 patients with at least one impacted third molar were included. Third molars were classified according to Winter?s classification and Pell and Gregory?s classification. The frequency of caries in partially impacted third molars and adjacent second molars was determined. The chi-square tests were used to determine p…