Indications for surgical removal of the mandibular third molar. Study of 2,630 cases.

Indications for surgical removal of 2,630 impacted mandibular third molars were studied. The investigation comprises all operations during a period of 12 months and was carried out at 4 departments of oral surgery within the Stockholm area. The average age of the patients was 27 years. Pathological changes were seen in about 60% with pericoronitis as the most common diagnosis. Root resorption of the adjacent molar was seen in 4.7% and cysts in 4.5%. Orthodontic indications were noted in 10.7%. In about 20% of cases, prophylactic indications (i.e. complications were predicted of tooth remained) were given as the reason for extraction. It was stated that the indications were in some cases uncertain. Further studies of relevant factors are therefore well motivated.