DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2017.v04i01.004

Pages: 22-26

The impaction of the lower third molar; is one of the most common impacted tooth in human dentition, it is associated with a variety of symptoms, that have an adverse effect on the health of the student. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms and pattern of impaction of third molars teeth, among undergraduate dental students. A prospective cross sectional study among a 50 undergraduate dental student selected randomly from the a total number of 229 student, during the period of October 2015 to February 2016, data were collected by an Ortho Panorama view, which was taken for each student and a questionnaire containing questions about the symptoms and treatment done of impacted lower third molar. Comparison between variable by Ch- Squire Test with the level of significant set at P value ≤0.05. The commonest age group among studied population was 19-20 year, no gender predilection was found in relation to the symptoms or the pattern of impaction, but extraction of lower third molar was more among males than females. Mesioangular impaction was commonest (49%) followed by horizontal then vertical. Symptoms associated with impacted third molar were more among those who didn’t remove the tooth, The most common symptoms was pain followed by headache and limited mouth opening. Analgesics were commonly used for relieving symptoms, with statistical significance difference between visiting the dentist to relive the symptoms and the use of analgesics. Based on the results of this study it was concluded that the most common pattern of impaction was mesioangular, all impacted third molars were associated with symptoms, use of analgesic and visiting the dentist were the most relieving factors. Dental check-up and OPGs are recommended at admission stage for the university to avoid any future problems arise from the third molar teeth.