Abstract
Objectives The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of the mandibular third molars, especially
in relation to the inferior alveolar nerve. Further aims were to investigate incidental
findings in panoramic radiographs in an adult population, and to investigate image
quality related to patient positioning.
Materials and Methods From a previous study with 451 randomly selected adult participants who lived in
Sweden, 442 panoramic radiographs from four dental public health clinics were used.
The third molars’ characteristics and relation to inferior alveolar nerve were evaluated.
Incidental findings and patient positioning were recorded.
Statistical Analysis Frequency analysis was used to investigate the occurrence of all findings and their
possible interconnections. Whether the patients’ age or gender had an impact or not
was also analyzed.
Results The third molars were erupted in vertical position among 73% regardless of age. When
retained or semi-retained, they were most commonly in mesioangular positions. The
inferior alveolar nerve was located inferior to the roots in 52%, whereas an overlapped
position was most common if the third molar was retained (90%), semi-retained (83%)
or the age was less than 30 years (66%). Common incidental findings were apical radiolucencies,
idiopathic osteosclerosis, and tooth fragments. Suboptimal patient positioning was
found in one-third of the radiographs.
Conclusions Panoramic radiography is a useful method to evaluate third molar prior to surgical
removal and may be the only image required. Most incidental findings on panoramic
radiographs does not seem to require any further odontological management.
Keywords
third molar - panoramic radiography - incidental findings - adult
