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The frequency of distomolar teeth in a population of urban Turkish adults: a retrospective study

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Abstract

Objectives

To determine the frequency, location, and shape of distomolar teeth in a population of urban Turkish adults.

Methods

A total of 4,023 patients (1,586 males, 2,437 females) with a mean age of 32.85 ± 10.82 years (males 33.01 ± 11.39, females 32.76 ± 10.62) were studied. Patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. Panoramic radiographs of the patients were examined to diagnose the presence of distomolar teeth. In the diagnosis, care was taken to include only those patients who had not undergone any extractions in the third molar regions. Data were analyzed by the chi-squared test (P < 0.05).

Results

The presence of distomolars was observed in 0.57% of this population. In total, 29 distomolar teeth were observed in 23 patients. Distomolars were found primarily in the maxillary left (n = 8, 27.5% of the distomolars) and right quadrants (n = 6, 20.6% of the distomolars). In one patient, they were observed in all four quadrants. Distomolars occured more frequently in the maxilla (n = 20, 68.9% of the distomolars), were often impacted (n = 20, 68.9% of the distomolars), and were found bilaterally in three cases (0.07%).

Conclusion

In cases of infection and pain in the molar area, dental practioners may be suspicious of the presence of fourth molars in fully erupted dentition and should make a detailed and careful investigation of panoramic radiographs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ahmet Arslan

  2. Istanbul, Turkey

    Hatice Altundal

  3. Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kocaeli, Yuvacik, Kocaeli, Turkey

    Emre Ozel

Authors
  1. Ahmet Arslan
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  2. Hatice Altundal
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  3. Emre Ozel
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Correspondence to Emre Ozel.

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Arslan, A., Altundal, H. & Ozel, E. The frequency of distomolar teeth in a population of urban Turkish adults: a retrospective study. Oral Radiol 25, 118–122 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-009-0020-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-009-0020-2

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