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Summary

Increasing lower dental arch crowding with the age is a recognized clinical problem, and one that has become more apparent in recent years as more adults retain their teeth longer. One of the theories is that the erupting third molars push anterior teeth forward and cause their crowding. On the other hand, a number of studies found no correlation between lower third molars and lower incisor crowding. Because of all these contrasting findings this study was started to re-evaluate correlation between third molars presence and lower dental arch crowding. The study group consisted of 91 subjects with an average age 21.01±4.13 years. The individual, quantitative and cast-based analytical registration of crowding was based on the measurements of mesiodistal width of teeth and related to the length of the appropriate segment of the lower dental arch. No statistically significant third molar presence-specific differences were recorded in the lower dental arch crowding between the groups with erupted, unerupted and agenesis of third molars.

Although differences between the groups were not statistically significant, some tendency for crowding in the anterior part of lower dental arch was more expressed in the groups with the presence (erupted 0.57 mm and unerupted 0.74 mm) of third molars, than with agenesis (surplus space 0.03 mm). Nevertheless, the present study do not provide enough evidence to incriminate third molars as being the only or even major etiologic factor in the late lower dental arch crowding.

Key words: crowding, third molars, lower dental arch.

Received: 15 04 2006

Accepted for publishing: 25 09 2006

*Clinic of Orthodontics, Kaunas university of medicine, Lithuania

Ðidlauskas Antanas* – D.D.S., PhD, prof., MOrthRCSEd

Trakinienë Giedrë* – D.D.S.

Address correspondence to Ðidlauskas Antanas, Clinic of Orthodontics, Kaunas university of medicine, J. Luksos-Daumanto 6, LT 50106 Kaunas, Lithuania.

E-mail: antanas@kaunas.omnite.net



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

September, 2006, Vol. 8, No. 3 CONTENTS SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES Evaluation of diametral tensile strength and knoop microhardness of five nanofilled composites in dentin and enamel shades 67-69 A scanning electron microscopic study of debris and smear layer remaining following use of AET instruments and K-flexofiles 70-75 Factors related to apical root resorption of maxillary incisors in orthodontic patients 76-79 Effect of the lower third molars on the lower dental arch crowding 80-84 Changes in the periodontal condition after replacement of swaged crowns by metal 85-87 Surgical lengthening of the clinical tooth crown 88-95 The relationship between blood serum lipids and periodontal condition 96-100 © 2006 Stomatologija		Stomatologija 2006; 8 (3): 80-84 356 KB Effect of the lower third molars on the lower dental arch crowding Sidlauskas Antanas, Trakiniene Giedre Summary Increasing lower dental arch crowding with the age is a recognized clinical problem, and one that has become more apparent in recent years as more adults retain their teeth longer. One of the theories is that the erupting third molars push anterior teeth forward and cause their crowding. On the other hand, a number of studies found no correlation between lower third molars and lower incisor crowding. Because of all these contrasting findings this study was started to re-evaluate correlation between third molars presence and lower dental arch crowding. The study group consisted of 91 subjects with an average age 21.01±4.13 years. The individual, quantitative and cast-based analytical registration of crowding was based on the measurements of mesiodistal width of teeth and related to the length of the appropriate segment of the lower dental arch. No statistically significant third molar presence-specific differences were recorded in the lower dental arch crowding between the groups with erupted, unerupted and agenesis of third molars. Although differences between the groups were not statistically significant, some tendency for crowding in the anterior part of lower dental arch was more expressed in the groups with the presence (erupted 0.57 mm and unerupted 0.74 mm) of third molars, than with agenesis (surplus space 0.03 mm). Nevertheless, the present study do not provide enough evidence to incriminate third molars as being the only or even major etiologic factor in the late lower dental arch crowding. Key words: crowding, third molars, lower dental arch. Received: 15 04 2006 Accepted for publishing: 25 09 2006 Clinic of Orthodontics, Kaunas university of medicine, Lithuania Ðidlauskas Antanas – D.D.S., PhD, prof., MOrthRCSEd Trakinienë Giedrë* – D.D.S. Address correspondence to Ðidlauskas Antanas, Clinic of Orthodontics, Kaunas university of medicine, J. Luksos-Daumanto 6, LT 50106 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: antanas@kaunas.omnite.net