Title: Does Mandible Development Influence Wisdom Tooth Impaction?
Authors: Devin Boggs & Miranda Karban
Abstract:
This study examines whether mandible development influences impaction of the mandibular third molars (wisdom teeth), with a focus on the mandible length-to-height ratio, cranial length-to-mandible length ratio, and gonial angle (GA). Utilizing digitized cephalograms from the University of Toronto Burlington Growth Study, measurements were taken from 65 subjects (36 males, 29 females) over two longitudinal age groups: 7.0-9.3 years (age 1) and 15.9-21.0 years (age 2). The results found no significant difference in the GA between males and females at age 1, but a significant difference was found at age 2. Males showed changes in GA between the two age groups, while females did not. Between the age groups, both sexes exhibited significant differences in mandible length-to-height ratios. However, no significant differences were found
in mandible length-to-height ratios or GA between individuals with impacted vs. non-impacted mandibular third molars. The study also assessed cranial length-to-mandible length ratios, which were found to be significantly different between ages 1 and 2 for both sexes. These findings suggest that while sexual dimorphism in mandible development becomes more distinct after puberty, it does not significantly influence the likelihood of mandibular third molar impaction. These results oppose previous assumptions that a larger gonial angle reduces the probability of third molar impaction, highlighting the complexity of factors involved in dental development.