LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT THE EXTRACTION OF MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLARS

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study conducted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of orthodontic treatment and identify relapses associated with the eruption of the mandibular third molars (MTM). It shows data from the examination of 121 patients, divided into three groups: the control group without impaction (50 individuals), a group with unilateral impaction (33 patients), and a group with bilateral impaction (38 patients). In total, over 500 orthopantomograms of 121 patients aged between 7-23 years were studied, and the dynamics of the extraction of MTM during treatment were examined. The necessity for preventive extraction was determined for certain age groups. Pearson’s Chi-Square test did not reveal significant differences in gender differences (p=0.589). The study provides illustrations of two clinical cases: orthodontic treatment of patients with various malocclusions — one without relapse and the other with a relapse manifested as crowding of the mandibular anterior incisors. It demonstrates changes in the position of MTMs five years after orthodontic treatment. Statistical results indicate a correlation between changes in the inclination angles of MTMs and the occurrence of relapses.