Clinical study of the lower third molars eruption level influence on incidence of acute infection

The aim of this paper was estimate if there was correlation between clinically and radiographically evaluated eruption level of the lower third molar and incidence and severity of the acute infection, respectively. Methods and material: The study was conducted in 100 male examinees, age range from 18 to 25 years old, with clinical and radiographic diagnosis of partially erupted or non erupted third molars. Results: Total number of examinees with clinically registered partially erupted lower third molars was 75, of which 62 (82.6%) manifested infection. Non erupted third molars were in 25 examinees of which 11 (44%) had signs of infection. Partial eruption stage of the third molar was the most common cause of the light infection form (68.8%). Infective complications in over 60% of examinees were related to higher levels of teeth eruption. Higher eruption positions of lower third molars were causing light infections in 56.1%, and in 31.5% - severe forms of infection. Most frequently, lower third molar was related to occurrence and severity of the infection when positioned in occlusal plane level. Conclusion: Partially erupted lower third molar, when positioned in occlusal plane level, is the high risk tooth for an infection to occur.