An Evaluation of Genesis and Impaction of 3 rd Molar in Adolescents

Abstract

In the process of evolution the jaw has become smaller, allowing less room for the 3 rd molars and causing numerous dental problems. Research now indicates that in many of cases there is complete agenesis of 3 rd molars which may be because of environmental influence on human evolutionary process. An objective of this study is to asses genesis and impaction of 3 rd molar in adolescents of Ahmedabad city. This study was done in 100 adolescents (age 15-19 years) of Ahmedabad city during January 2013 to July 2013. Genesis or agenesis and impaction of 3 rd molar was confirmed by Orthopantomogram (OPG) and data was analyzed using Fisher's exact test in GraphPad Prism software (6.0.3). Out of 100 adolescents, 66 have presence of tooth-buds of all four 3 rd molars, while in 23 cases OPG shows absence of tooth-bud (agenesis) of one of the four 3 rd molars, in 6 cases tooth-buds of two out of the four 3 rd molar were absent, in 3 cases tooth-buds of three out of four were found to be absent and in 2 cases all the four 3 rd molar tooth-buds were absent. Gender difference was not significant. Different pattern of impaction was found in 38 subjects. Agenesis & impaction of 3 rd molar may be a part of evolutionary process which has undergone because of changes in food habits from coarse abrasive diet to soft western diet.