Evaluation of the influence of mandibular third molars on mandibular anterior crowding relapse.

Objective

To evaluate the influence of mandibular third molars on relapse of mandibular anterior crowding in orthodontically treated patients.Material and

Methods

Sample included orthodontic records of 108 patients: Group 1: 72 patients (39 female; 33 male) with third molars present in the postretention evaluation stage. Group 2: 36 patients (18 female; 18 male) who did not present the third molars in the postretention evaluation stage. Panoramic radiographs and dental models were evaluated at three different stages: pre-treatment; posttreatment and postretention. Panoramic radiographs showed the presence or absence of third molars in the 3 evaluated stages and on the dental models, overbite and mandibular anterior crowding was measured by the Little Irregularity Index. For intergroup comparisons, t-tests and a multifactorial regression analysis were used.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the relapse of mandibular anterior crowding among the groups with and without mandibular third molars at the postretention stage.

Conclusion

The presence or absence of mandibular third molars did not influence the relapse of mandibular anterior crowding in orthodontically treated patients.