Three-dimensional assessment of crown size and eruption space for developing third molars: Data collection techniques based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Abstract

Third molar development and eruption are two related areas of major interest in dental research into the etiology of “wisdom tooth” impaction. Third molars are not only an excellent model for studying dental development but also of fundamental clinical importance because they are very frequently impacted. Because the third molar is located in the distal-most region of the oral cavity, clinical access is relatively challenging. With the increasingly widespread use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry, studies and measurements of the third molar and its eruption area have become considerably easier to do. Here we present a novel CBCT-based measurement methodology we developed for our recent investigations that we hope will also be useful for the broader dental research community.