Alfurhud Ahmed Ata, Alouthah Hesham
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, King Khalid Road, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia.
Prosthetic Dental Science Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, King Khalid Road, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia.
Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Jun 27;15(13):1643. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15131643.
To assess radiographic changes in the alveolar bone on the distal aspect of the second molars (2Ms) over time, while impacted third molars (ITMs) remain present across two timepoints. This retrospective observational study aimed to assess radiographic changes between two timepoints (T0 and T1). Both Orthopantomogram (OPG) and Periapical (PA) X-rays were utilized, with three measurements taken on the distal surface of 2Ms using EMAGO 6.1 software. Statistical significance was defined as a -value < 0.05. A total of 51 patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 45 years (SD ± 13). Sixty-eight second molars were assessed at baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1), with a mean interval of 20 months (SEM ± 62 days). No significant changes were found in vertical, oblique, or angular bone levels between T0 and T1. Gender significantly affected the cementoenamel junction (CEJ)-base of defect (BD) measurements ( = 0.022) and defect angles at T0 ( = 0.048), but not at the adjusted T1 ( = 0.292). Other variables, including medical history, smoking, and ITM angulation, showed no influence. Patient age was borderline significant in relation to intrabony defect angle ( = 0.047). Considering its limitations, this analysis does not provide evidence to support the hypothesis that prophylactic extraction of ITMs yields significant bone-sparing benefits. Furthermore, it does not establish that prolonged retention of ITMs consistently results in short-term bone alterations in adjacent 2Ms. Consequently, further research is warranted to more accurately assess the medium- to long-term implications of ITM retention on the bone levels of 2Ms.
为了评估在第二磨牙（2M）远中面的牙槽骨随时间的影像学变化，同时在两个时间点观察阻生第三磨牙（ITM）的存在情况。这项回顾性观察性研究旨在评估两个时间点（T0和T1）之间的影像学变化。同时使用了全景曲面断层片（OPG）和根尖片（PA），并使用EMAGO 6.1软件在2M的远中面进行了三次测量。统计学显著性定义为P值<0.05。共有51名患者符合纳入标准，平均年龄为45岁（标准差±13）。在基线（T0）和随访（T1）时评估了68颗第二磨牙，平均间隔时间为20个月（标准误±62天）。在T0和T1之间，垂直、斜向或角度骨水平未发现显著变化。性别对牙骨质釉质界（CEJ）至缺损底部（BD）的测量值（P = 0.022）和T0时的缺损角度（P = 0.048）有显著影响，但在调整后的T1时无显著影响（P = 0.292）。其他变量，包括病史、吸烟和ITM的角度，均未显示出影响。患者年龄与骨内缺损角度的关系接近显著性（P = 0.047）。考虑到其局限性，本分析没有提供证据支持预防性拔除ITM能带来显著的骨保留益处这一假设。此外，也没有确定ITM的长期保留是否会持续导致相邻2M的短期骨改变。因此，有必要进行进一步的研究以更准确地评估ITM保留对2M骨水平的中长期影响。
