Incidence of inflammation in completely impacted lower third molars

The influence of ageing and the contact of the adjacent tooth on purulent inflammation associated with the completely impacted lower third molar was assessed in 26 patients with clinical symptoms of infection out of 800 patients who had roentgenographically-confirmed completely impacted lower third molars. These 26 patients were 23 years of age or older. The 9 with pain alone ranged from 25 to 44 years of age, whereas the 17 patients with inflammation ranged from 29 to 67 years of age, and non-contact to adjacent tooth was associated with purulent inflammation in older patients, indicating completely impacted lower third molars may cause pain only until 45 years of age; but purulent inflammation occurs even in the group of noncontact to adjacent tooth after 45 years of age. The authors recommend that a completely impacted lower third molar should be removed if the risk factors of advanced age and contact with the adjacent tooth are present.