INCIDENCE OF INFLAMMATION IN COMPLETELY IMPACTED LOWER 3RD-MOLARS

The influence of ageing and the contact of the adjacent tooth on purul ent inflammation associated with the completely impacted lower third m olar was assessed in 26 patients with clinical symptoms of infection o ut of 800 patients who had roentgenographically-confirmed completely i mpacted lower third molars. These 26 patients were 23 years of age or older. The 9 with pain alone ranged from 25 to 44 years of age, wherea s the 17 patients with inflammation ranged from 29 to 67 years of age, and non-contact to adjacent tooth was associated with purulent inflam mation in older patients, indicating completely impacted lower third m olars may cause pain only until 45 years of age; but purulent inflamma tion occurs even in the group of noncontact to adjacent tooth after 45 years of age. The authors recommend that a completely impacted lower third molar should be removed if the risk factors of advanced age and contact with the adjacent tooth are present.