Positional Changes in Mesio-Angular Impacted Mandibular Third Molars During One Year in Young Naval Personnel.
Abstract
Infections around lower impacted wisdom teeth account for one-fifth of the dental emergencies encountered on Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) patrols. The large number of such teeth in the young adult military population mitigates against the removal of all impacted teeth before they give trouble. A study of 1231 naval personnel, ages 18-23, for one year indicates that about one-third of the impacted lower third molars showed some evidence of uprighting in that time period. About one-fourth of the teeth initially inclined less than thirty degrees in relation to the second molar were completely righted. It is concluded that a logical approach to handling lower wisdom teeth would be to adopt a one-year observation period at least in those asymptomatic teeth inclined less than thirty degrees. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0732397
Entities
People
- William R. Shiller
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory