Evaluation of Mandibular Third Molar Positions in Various Vertical Skeletal Malocclusions

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the position of mandibular third molar (M3) and vertical skeletal malocclusions. Methods: Materials for the study consisted of panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 73 fifteen to nineteen-year-old class I patients (girls=66%, boys= 34%). Patients were classified into three groups based on four vertical cephalometric indices: FMA, PFH/AFH, LAFH/TAFH, and Y-axis. Analysis of the position of mandibular M3 and its relation to the bone and other teeth were determined by three variables on panoramic view: evaluation of the space for mandibular M3, vertical position of the mandibular M3 in relation to occlusal plane, and spatial relationship between the mandibular second molar (M2) and M3. Results: In girls, there was a significant relationship between the retromolar space in both sides of the jaw and different vertical skeletal malocclusions (P