Relationship between third molar development and root angulation

Angled roots are seen in mandibular third:molars, which have a high frequen cy of incomplete impaction. We examined the relationship between incomplete impaction and angled roots. We-enrolled orthopantomographs to determine th e prevalence of angled roots in 239 men and 222 women aged 21-35 years with bilateral mandibular third molars. Angled roots were more frequent in subj ects in whom the third molars had a different status on each side than in t hose with the same status on both sides (men: P<0.05; women: P < 0.01). The incidence of women with angled roots in those with bilateral incomplete im pactions was higher than that in those with bilateral eruption (P<0.01). An gled roots among mandibular third molars are related to environmental facto rs. Angled roots occur more frequently in women with incomplete impaction t han in those with full eruption.