Evaluation of Cystic Changes in the Follicle of Radiographically Normal Impacted Mandibular Third Molar in an Iranian Population

surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar is a common procedure among oral surgeries. While there is no agreement on the management of asymptomatic impacted third molars, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the rate of cystic changes in the follicle of impacted teeth with radiographically normal feature. 109 patients underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars with follicular width of less than 2.5 mm in panoramic radiograph. The follicle was evaluated histopathologically to identify possible cystic alterations. The results revealed that 44 (40.4%) follicles had cystic changes. The rate of changes was higher in older patients and mesioangular/horizontal teeth. Based on the results of the present study, the high rate of cystic alteration in radiographically normal follicles indicates the indication of prophylactic removal of impacted mandibular third molars especially in older patients.