Abstract:
Objective: To assess the frequency of cysts and tumors around impacted third molars.
Study Design and Setting: Cross-sectional study was conducted at the OMFS department, Lahore Medical & Dental
College, from August 2015 to January 2018.
Methodology: A total of 2057 patients were operated for the removal of 2354 impacted third molars and analyzed for their
associated pathological lesions(cysts/tumors). Patients were evaluated with thorough history, clinical and radiological
examination. Panoramic and periapical radiographs were primarily used to assess the site of third molar impactions
(maxilla/mandible) and their associated pathologies confirmed with histopathological examination. Data was analyzed
using SPSS version 20.
Results: The patients’ ages were between 17 to 62 years (Mean±SD, 28.12±8.585). There were n=709 (34.47%) females
and n=1348 (65.53%) male with female to male ratio of 1.9:1. The mandibular to maxillary impacted third molars ratio
was 1.66:1. An overall frequency of 1.36% for cysts and 0.72% for tumor associated with impacted third molars was
demonstrated in the current study. The most frequently diagnosed cyst was dentigerous whereas ameloblastoma was the
most commonly identified tumor.
Conclusion: A relatively lower frequency (2.08%) of pathological lesions was found around third molars. The study
reported a smaller number of pathological lesions affecting a significant minority of patients. It is recommended that a
dentist/oral maxillofacial surgeon should be consulted at the earliest if any symptoms in the third molar region arise along
with imaging of the area.