A study to determine the prevalence of impacted third molars among patients seen in Dar es Salaam Dental Clinics

Abstract

Impacted teeth are commonly observed in Dental clinics all over the country. However. people may live with impacted teeth to old age without problems. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and the pattern of the impacted third molars among patients seen in Dar es Salaam. A convenient sample of 1198 patients ages 21 - 45 years was studies. 53% of the patients were males. Oral examination was carried out among patients attending dental clinics in Dar es Salaam during the month of July - December 2000.
The third molar impaction were recorded according to Kruger (1968) 21.3% of the examined patients had at least one impacted tooth. 14.5% of the lower third molars were impacted. 60% of the impacted third molars were of mesiangular type. The prevalence of impacted third molar was found to be high, thus more research should be carried out, to find out how impaction affects the individual quality of life