ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Correlation of Pericoronitis and the Status of Eruption of Mandibular Third Molar: A Clinicoradiographic Study
Fig. 1: Pell and Gregory’s classification (adapted from Checchi and Monaco)
DISCUSSION
Fig. 2: Assessment of status of eruption of mandibular third molar
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of the gingiva in relation to
Exclusion Criteria the crown of an incompletely erupted third molar. It is the
• Patients under 18 years of age. most common pathological condition involving third molars
• Patients with a congenital disorder, cysts and tumors that is most commonly found among young individuals
associated with mandibular third molar. between 18 and 24 years.3,4,6 The term impaction was
• Asymptomatic patients with impacted mandibular defined by Peterson as one that fails to erupt into the dental
third molar. arch within the expected time. The average age for the
eruption of mandibular third molars in male is approximately
RESULTS 3 to 6 months ahead of females. Pericoronitis can develop
In the present study, in the total sample of 50 patients with from the moment that the crown of an erupting third molar
pericoronitis, 43 (86%) were partially erupted and seven comes into contact with the oral cavity. Once the process
(14%) were impacted (Table 1 and Graph 1). According to has developed, it tends to become chronic and recur
the Pell and Gregory’s classification of impacted third intermittently until the tooth is fully erupted or
Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology, April-June 2013;25(2):112-115 113
AP Indira et al
Table 2: Position of the impacted third molar the erupting tooth as a result of genetic and environmental
Type of classification Status of third molar Percentage causes. When the third molar is partially erupted, there will
be break in the continuity of the mucosa which is more prone
Pell and Gregory Type IA 42
classification Type IB 2 for infection since it is difficult to access that area to maintain
Type IC 0 oral hygiene and trauma caused by the opposing maxillary
Type IIA 20
third molar.
Type IIB 34
Type IIC 2 The mean peak age range was 21.3 years. This finding
Type IIIA 0 was consistent with the study of Naosherwan Anwar et al.9
Type IIIB 0
The reason being the increased incidence of impacted
Type IIIC 0
Winter’s classification Vertical 28 mandibular third molar was found in this age group.
Mesioangular 20 In the present study, in relation to the side pericoronitis
Distoangular 28
was observed more prevalent on right side in 27 (54%) cases
Horizontal 24
in comparison to the left side with 23 (46%) cases.
114
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Correlation of Pericoronitis and the Status of Eruption of Mandibular Third Molar: A Clinicoradiographic Study
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that third molars in the vertical position, or slightly
distoangular with partial mucosal and bony coverage, are
the presentations most likely to cause pericoronitis. This is ABOUT THE AUTHORS
because such positions have high frequency rate AP Indira (Corresponding Author)
of impaction.
Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, MR Ambedkar
The risk of an acute problem was greatest for Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Phone:
distoangular lower third molars. This may be explained by 25463097, e-mail: indira.ap.mradc@gmail.com
accumulation of food and the occlusal surface of a
distoangular third molar slope downward distally by occlusal Mahesh Kumar
movements. The amount of soft tissue surrounding a Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Raja-
distoangular third molar may be greater than with rajeshwari Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
mesioangular and horizontal impaction.11
Maria Priscilla David
CONCLUSION Professor and Head, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, MR
Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
The present study explores the correlation between the
pericoronitis and status of mandibular third molar. We Vaishali Mysore Rajshekar
conclude that the status of impacted third molar may be
Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, MR Ambedkar
able to be correlated to the development of pericoronal Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
infectious process and their potential complications and can
be advised for prophylactic removal, particularly in position Shashikala
IA, vertical and distoangular impactions to prevent surgical Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, MR Ambedkar
risks and patients morbidity with age. Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology, April-June 2013;25(2):112-115 115