Prevalence and Symmetry of Positional Anomalies in Second Permanent Molars: Study of Romanian Patients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of positional anomalies in second permanent molars among Romanian patients. These molars play a crucial role in occlusion but can exhibit positional issues such as tilting, rotation, infraocclusion, and impaction.

METHODS

This retrospective study examined the digital models of 103 patients aged 12-40, which were obtained by using the Medit i500 intraoral scanner. Positional anomalies were categorized by tilting, rotation, infraocclusion, and impaction.

RESULTS

The results showed a high prevalence of anomalies, particularly infraocclusion and buccal tilting in upper molars and oral tilting and mesio-buccal rotations in lower molars. The significant symmetry of anomalies within the same dental arch was noted. Gender and malocclusion type did not significantly influence anomaly frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings emphasize the need for the vigilant monitoring of second permanent molars to maintain functional occlusion and suggest potential common etiological factors within dental arches. Despite this study's limitations, including sample size and retrospective design, this study underscores the clinical importance of the early detection and management of molar anomalies. Future research should expand on these findings, considering genetic and environmental influences on dental development.