Evaluation of 1211 Third Molars Positions According to the Classification of Winter, Pell & Gregory

Panoramic radiographs are important for the evaluation and classification of the third molars position, allowing the diagnosis and planning of extraction. The objective of this study is to evaluate upper and lower third molars positions in panoramic radiographs with the classification methods proposed by Pell and Gregory (1933) and Winter (1926) and the subsequent comparison of results with other authors. Panoramic radiographs of 310 patients were analyzed, 197 female and 113 male, totaling 1,211 third molars. In relation to the upper third molars, the most prevalent positions were: angle compared to the long axis of the second molar of Distoangular form (53.23 %) and the depth of impaction as Class C (48.25 %). In the lower third molars, the most prevalent positions were: angle to the long axis of the second molar in Mesioangular classification (52.96 %), the depth of impaction was B (46.54 %) and the tooth relationship with the mandibular ramus was identified as class I (55.26 %). These results provide information that can be utilized in predicting third molar development in terms of impaction or eruption, assisting dental surgeons in making decisions regarding surgical planning and treatment.