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Assessment of mandibular retromolar space in adults with regard to third molar eruption status

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the difference in length and width of the mandibular retromolar space (RMS) stratified by the different eruption and impaction statuses of the third molars in patients with skeletal Class I malocclusion.

Materials and methods

The right mandibular RMS in 186 adult patients categorized according to the different statuses of the third molar was analyzed by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The shortest distances between the inner lingual cortex of the mandibular body and second molar root were measured parallel to the posterior occlusal line (POL) at depths of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm (mandibular retromolar space length in root level, RLin2,4,6,8,10) on the axial slices with the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) as the reference level. The width of the RMS and second molar root was measured vertical to the POL at the terminal point of the molar distalization at depths of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm (width of the mandibular retromolar space, BW2,4,6,8,10/ width of the second molar distal root, TW2,4,6,8,10) from the CEJ.

Results

RL in different measurement planes was 2.72 ± 2.22 ~ 3.74 ± 2.26 for Group A, 5.27 ± 1.68 ~ 9.10 ± 2.04 for Group B, 1.94 ± 2.34 ~ 5.71 ± 4.37 for Group C, 1.83 ± 2.95 ~ 5.05 ± 4.24 for Group D, and 5.93 ± 3.97 ~ 10.52 ± 2.16 for Group E. The BW measurement results for A ~ E group were 9.71 ± 1.41 ~ 10.51 ± 1.81, 9.83 ± 1.39 ~ 12.55 ± 2.11, 9.96 ± 1.21 ~ 12.17 ± 1.62, 9.82 ± 1.47 ~ 12.28 ± 2.77, and 10.02 ± 1.20 ~ 12.75 ± 0.82, respectively. There was no significant difference between men and women in any measurements (P > 0.05). Patients with normal third molars erupted and those vertically impacted possessed larger RMS lengths than those in which the third molars were missing, horizontally impacted or mesially impacted (P < 0.05). In each measurement plane, TW was significantly smaller than BW (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Sex had no effect on the length or width of the mandibular RMS. Different statuses of third molars can also differentially affect the mandibular RMS. The mandibular RMS width is not a limit for mandibular molar distalization.

Clinical relevance

When considering the distalization of mandibular molars, more attention should be directed to the lingual cortex of the mandible, and CBCT scans are recommended for patients who require significant mandibular molar distalization. The mandible buccal shelf and retromolar area maybe a safe zone to insert the miniscrew for molar distalization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Stomatology, Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao University, Tongfu Road No.6, Qingdao, 266000, People’s Republic of China

    Xueqiang Guo, Yang Gao, Fan Zhang, Meng Wang, Xia Tian & Qing Huang

  2. Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Jiangsu Road No.16, Qingdao, 266003, People’s Republic of China

    Xinqiang Liu

Authors
  1. Xueqiang Guo
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception of the study, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and drafting of the manuscript. All authors revised the article critically and gave final approval of the submitted version.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yang Gao or Xinqiang Liu.

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The study was conducted in full accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (QYFYWZLL25735).

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Guo, X., Gao, Y., Zhang, F. et al. Assessment of mandibular retromolar space in adults with regard to third molar eruption status. Clin Oral Invest 27, 671–680 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-022-04782-6

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