Influence of Premolars Extraction on Third Molar Angulation

Objectives: To assess the influence of orthodontic treatment involving first premolar extraction or non-extraction, on the angulation of the developing third molars.
Methods: The pretreatment and post-treatment orthopantomonograms of 99 patients were assessed. The change in angulation of 33 patients who underwent first premolar extraction, 33 patients who underwent second premolar extraction and 33 patients who underwent treatment without extraction were compared.
Results: Results showed that, the angulation of the mandibular third molar changed irrespective of the treatment protocol. Both negative and positive changes in the angulation were observed in all the 3 groups.
Conclusions: First premolar or second premolar extraction treatment protocols have no influence on the angulation of the mandibular third molar