Prevalence of Pathology Associated with Impacted Mandibular Third Molars in a Northern Nigerian Sub-Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

• Bernard E. Ogbozor, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano AND Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
• Abdulmanan Yahaya, Department of Child Dental Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Bayero University, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
• Sabir Iya, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
• George O. Ewansiha, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
• Mohammad K. Abubakar, Dental Surgery Department, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau AND Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Federal University Gusau
• Ismail Anas, Department of Radiology, Bayero University & Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
• Irfan Sugianto, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
• Babatunde O. Bamgbose, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Bayero University & Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, KanoFollow

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars and their associated pathology among adult patients attending a tertiary hospital in North-western Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a two-year period and analyzed digital panoramic radiographs of 576 adult patients (297 males, 279 females) aged 18–65 years with IMTM. Impaction angulations were classified, using Winter's classification system, into mesioangular, distoangular, horizontal, and vertical impactions. Associated pathology, including caries, root resorption, periodontitis, bone resorption, apical pathosis, and cysts, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Pearson's Chi-square (χ²) statistical tests were conducted while the confidence interval and P-value were set at 95% and ≤ 0.05, respectively.
Results: The prevalence of IMTM was 16.08% and 793 IMTM demonstrated identifiable associated pathology. Male showed a higher prevalence (51.6%) than female (48.4%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.9. The 26–35 age group demonstrated the highest frequency (40.6%). Horizontal impaction was most predominant (44.5%). Mesioangular impaction showed the strongest association with pathology (51.70%). Periodontitis was the predominant pathology observed followed by dental caries of adjacent second molars. Root resorption related to horizontal impaction occurred in 14.7% (#38) and 30.0% (#48) of cases. Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant associations (p < 0.001) between specific angulations and pathological conditions.
Conclusions: Horizontal and mesioangular impactions predominate among IMTM cases, with mesioangular impaction showing the strongest association with pathological conditions. Periodontitis was the most prevalent pathology. This study provide valuable insights for clinical decision-making regarding prophylactic versus therapeutic extraction of IMTM in the Northern Nigerian population.

Recommended Citation

Bernard E. O. , Abdulmanan Y. , Sabir I. , George O. E. , Mohammad K. A. , Ismail A. , Irfan S. , & Babatunde O. B. (2026) "Prevalence of Pathology Associated with Impacted Mandibular Third Molars in a Northern Nigerian Sub-Population: A Cross-Sectional Study," Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science: Vol. 11: Iss. 3, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65844/2503-0825.1503
Available at: https://scholarhub.unhas.ac.id/jdmfs/vol11/iss3/2

Pages

196

DOI

10.65844/2503-0825.1503