The etiology and prediction of mandibular third molar impaction.

1. Skeletal Class II dental base relationship with a shorter, narrower, more acute angled madible was found in association with impacted third molars, compared with erupted teeth. 2. These differences were found at age 18+ years but were less obvious at age 10 to 11 years. 3. There was a reduced amount of mandibular growth in impacted third molar cases. 4. There was a slight tendency for impacted third molars to be larger than those which erupted. 5. The presence of a space between second and third molars in the early stages of development is not an indication that the third molar will erupt. 6. The developmental angulation of the third molar to the mandibular plane was higher in the impacted third molar group. 7. Accurate prediction of third molar impaction from radiographic measurements is not possible at age 10 to 11 years.