Epidemiological survey of mandibular third molar positions according to the Pell & Gregory and Winter Classification: a prospective study

Abstract

Objective: To carry out an epidemiological survey of the positions of mandibular third molars according to the Pell & Gregory and Winter classification, to identify gender, age group, report the most prevalent positions and assess the presence of impaction on the adjacent tooth. Methodology: Prospective quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study of 131 third molars. Results: the highest prevalence was among patients aged 22-25 (32%), followed by 17-21 (20.61%), 26-30 (19.85%), 31-40 (16.79%) and >40 years (10.69%). Gender was female (56.49%) and male (43.51%). Regarding the Pell & Gregory classification: Class II position A (40.46%), followed by Class II position B (25.19%), Class I position A (16.03%), Class II position C (6.11%), Class III position C (6.11%), Class I position B (4.58%), Class III position B (1.53%), Class I position C (0%) and Class III position A (0%). As for the classification of Winter: vertical (48.09%), mesioangular (36.64%), horizontal (13.74%), distoangular (0.76%), vestibuloangular (0.76%), linguoangular (0%) and inverted (0%). As for impaction, it was present in 18.32% and absent in 81.68%. Conclusion: Knowledge of age, gender, classification and the presence of impaction favors diagnosis, surgical planning and communication between professionals in an appropriate manner, increasing the success of procedures and reducing the risks for the patient.