Predictive Variables of Eruption Space for 3^rd Molars in Panoramic Radiographs

Objectives: Objective: To characterize predictive variables related to unhindered eruption space of lower TM.
Methods: Materials and Methods: 300 panoramic radiographs were analyzed by two trained examiners standardized in the Pederson and the Pell & Gregory indices, used to collect study data.
Results: Results: Mean age was 21.3 (SD 6.7) years of the 300 cases included; 70% were women. Prevalence of space problems for lower TM was 66.8% for right molars, 77.5% for left molars. Correlation analyses between age and retromolar space suggested that the latter might increase with age (r=.199 P=.001). Further statistical modelling showed that gender (sig: .048), tooth-mandible ramus relationship (sig: .000), and TM anatomical depth location (sig: .000) were predictive variables for unhindered eruption space of lower TM.
Conclusions: Conclusions: Although retromolar space increases with age, this variable was not strongly associated with unhindered TM eruption. Gender, tooth-mandible ramus relationship, and TM anatomical depth location were predictive variables associated with inadequate eruption space.