Presence and Maturation Dynamics of Mandibular Third Molars and Their Influence on Late Mandibular Incisor Crowding: A Longitudinal Study

Martina Zigante, Andrej Pavlic, Luka Morelato, Vaska Vandevska-Radunovic and Stjepan Spalj
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Martina Zigante: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Rijeka, Kresimirova 40, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Andrej Pavlic: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Rijeka, Kresimirova 40, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Luka Morelato: Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Rijeka, Kresimirova 40, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Vaska Vandevska-Radunovic: Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo, Geitmyrsveien 71, 0317 Oslo, Norway
Stjepan Spalj: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Rijeka, Kresimirova 40, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the absence, presence and dynamics of mandibular third molar development and the occurrence and amount of late mandibular incisor crowding. Dental plaster casts and panoramic radiographs of 72 orthodontically untreated subjects from the Nittedal growth study, Norway were analyzed. The subjects were recalled for a checkup at 12, 15, 18 and 21 years of age. Mandibular incisor crowding was assessed using Little’s irregularity index and dental maturation of the third molars by the Cameriere’s index. The majority of the subjects (64%) had ?1 mm increase in irregularity; 22% experienced an increase of 0.1–0.9 mm and 14% had unchanged or decreased irregularity. Incisor irregularity increased with age, regardless of absence or presence of third molars. The amount of change in incisor irregularity from 12 to 21 years did not differ significantly between subjects with hypodontia of third molars, extraction and those with third molars present. No differences were observed between erupted, unerupted or impacted third molars. No correlation was found between the amount of change in irregularity and maturation of the third molars. In conclusion, occurrence and amount of mandibular late incisor crowding is not significantly influenced by the presence of mandibular third molars or their development dynamics.

Keywords: Cameriere’s index; crowding; growing subjects; Little’s irregularity index; malocclusions; third molars (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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