Effects of Lower Third Molar Angulation and Position on Lower Arch Crowding.

The role of the third molars in lower arch crowding has been debated for more than a century.The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between lower arch crowding and the presence of angulation and position of lower third molar.The measurements of the dental arch were made in 120 subjects aged 16 to 21 years, with average age to 18 years. The subjects were divided into two groups: Class I normal occlusion comprised 35 male and 25 female with mean age 18.87years, whereas Class I crowding comprised 27 males and 33 females with mean age 18.5 years. The dental pantomogram (DPT) were used to calculate the ratio of retromolar space (Ganss ratio), angulation of third molar to second molar and third molar to the base of the mandible.The results showed that measurements of Ganss ratio, third molar angulation to the base of the mandible, and third molar to second molar inclination, was statistically significant between crowded and normal groups.It can be concluded that there was a strong relationship between angulation and position of third molars and lower arch crowding. Key words: Third molars, angulation, lower arch, crowding