Status of the Third Molars in the 20- to 21-Year-Old Finnish University Population

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Abstract
In order to shed light on the problem of the retention of wisdom teeth, the status of third molars in the 20- to 21-year-old university population was evaluated both clinically and radiographically. A total of all 248 first-year students at the University of Helsinki who had been born and were living in the city of Helsinki were invited to participate in the study. The response rate was 73%. The rate of full eruption, as determined clinically with 95% confidence limits, was 36% for the upper and 19% for the lower third molars. According to the radiographical examination, 42% of the upper third molars and 58% of the lower third molars were classified unerupted. The clinical and radiographical information was combined to determine the rates of impacted third molars. The rate for impacted maxillary third molars was 29% among the female and 35% among the male students. The respective rates for impacted mandibular third molars were 28% and 21%. The average number of impacted third molars was 1.8 for women and 1.3 for men. Compared with earlier data, these rates suggest an increasing trend in the frequency of impacted third molars. Screening of third molars for early detection of impaction is recommended.

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