Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Feb 15, 2025
Date Accepted: Oct 13, 2025
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Association Between Mandibular Third Molar Position and Recurrent Pericoronitis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Pericoronitis is a common pathological condition related to mandibular third molar which is often known to cause pain and discomfort. The conditionmay be chronic, exhibiting episodic symptoms that last for a few days to weeks and recurring multiple times in less than a year. The operculum covering the erupting mandibular third molars may become obscured by the eruption of maxillary third molars. Such recurrent trauma might exacerbate the symptoms and lead to ulcerations. Ongoing monitoring at regular intervals and with the help of patient-centered decision-making clinicians can develop the most effective treatment plan.
Objective:
The study aims to determine association between mandibular third molar position and recurrent pericoronitis
Methods:
This cross-sectional study will include 200 patients having partially impacted mandibular third molar with recurrent pericoronitis. The patients aged between17- 35 years with occurrence of pericoronitis will be included in this study. The impacted tooth’s side and the symptoms associated with pericoronitis will be recorded by performing clinical examination. All these patients will be evaluated on panoramic radiographs to assess the impaction status of mandibular third molar.
Results:
On panoramic radiographs, the impaction status of mandibular third molar will be assessed with reference to type and occlusal plane based on the Pell & Gregory classification. Patients’ data will be recorded and analysed for statistical significance.
Conclusions:
Mandibular third molars which are placed horizontally or mesioangularly might be more commonly associated with recurrent pericoronitis. Detection and intervention at early stage for pericoronitis in individuals with impacted third molars is vital. Clinical Trial: Not Applicable as the study is non randomised
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