IMPACTED MOLARS
DR GABRIEL MPUNDU
(BDS, Dip. DS)
• An impacted tooth is one that fails to erupt into the
dental arch within the expected time.
• The tooth becomes impacted because adjacent
teeth, dense over lying bone, or excessive soft tissue
prevents eruption.
• Because impacted teeth do not erupt, they are
retained for the patient's lifetime unless surgically
removed.
• The term unerupted includes both impacted teeth and
teeth that are in the process of erupting. The term
embedded is occasionally used interchangeably with
the term impacted
• Teeth most often become impacted because of
inadequate dental arch length and space in which to
erupt; that is, the total length of the alveolar bone arch
is smaller than the total length of the tooth arch.
• The most common impacted teeth are the maxillary
and mandibular third molars, followed by the maxillary
canines and mandibular premolars.
• The third molars are the most frequently impacted,
because they are the last teeth to erupt; therefore they
are the most likely to have inadequate space for
eruption.
INDICATIONS FOR REMOVAL OF
IMPACTED TEETH
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Prevention of Periodontal Disease
Prevention of Dental Caries
Prevention of Pericoronitis
Prevention of Root Resorption
Impacted Teeth under a Dental Prosthesis
Prevention of Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors
Treatment of Pain of Unexplained Origin
Prevention of Fracture of the Jaw
Facilitation of Orthodontic Treatment
Optimal Periodontal Healing
CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR REMOVAL
OF IMPACTED
TEETH
• Extremes of Age
• Compromised Medical Status
• Probable Excessive Damage to Adjacent
Structures
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS OF
IMPACTED TEETH
• Angulation
• Relationship to Anterior Border of Ramus
• Relationship to Occlusal Plane