Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of third molars has often been cited as a special problem to the orthodontist. If the prognosis of third molars could be determined, orthodontic treatment could progress on a more positive basis.

This study was designed to provide a method of deciding whether developing third molars will erupt or become impacted.

Records from 130 orthodontically treated cases of Dr. Fredsall8 were studied. Several factors were evaluated and measured using the patients' cephalometric radiographs.

The actual fate of the third molars were recorded in the hope it could be used to predict what to expect from the known T1 positions. Data was subjected to computer analysis for means, standard deviations and discriminant analysis.

The patients were divided into three groups: impacted, nonimpacted and a midrange or unknown group. Within each group was a further division of extracted bicuspids and non-extracted bicuspids.

The discriminant analysis revealed two variables, the distance from Xi to the distal of the maxillary second molar and the size of the mandibular third molar, as being the best predictors for establishing eruption or impaction of the third molars. The analysis was able to predict 75.8% of the impacted cases and 69.6% of the erupted cases. This shows there is a high degree of success in being able to predict the prognosis of third molars.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics

Department

Dentistry

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Roland D. Walters

Second Advisor

Joseph M. Caruso

Third Advisor

Gary Engel

Fourth Advisor

Lawrence E. McEwen

Fifth Advisor

Dale B. Stringer

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1984

Date (Title Page)

6-1984

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Molar, Third

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 29

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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