Lower dental arch changes after bilateral third molar removal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in lower dental arch after bilateral lower third molars removal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 30 non-orthodontic patients (mean age 25,5 years, refered for bilateral lower third molars removal. Orthopantomograms and dental casts were made before and 6-8 months after surgical removal of lower third molars. Transversal lower arch widths between lower canines and second premolars and lower arch total tooth size-arch lenght discrepancy were evaluated on dental casts. The angulation of lower second premolars, first and second molars was measured in horizontal and mandibular planes on orthopantomograms. RESULTS: No significant difference of inter-canine and inter-premolar transversal width was noticed. No significant changes were observed in total tooth-size lenght discrepancy, except in S1 segment consisted of first and second premolar and the canine on the right quadrant of the lower dental arch. The angulation of second premolars and first molars did not show any significant changes, however there were statistically significant changes between angulation of lower second molars on both sides. CONCLUSIONS: After bilateral removal of lower third molars, lower second molars awhile showed a tendency to move backwards, but no obvious relationship between the third molar and anterior crowding was observed. Whereas the observation time is short and the patient's age is young and it can not be concluded that lower third molars cause the changes in the dental arch.