Complexity of surgery on mandibular third molars according to the Pederson index: a radiological study in a peruvian sample

Resumen

Objective: The study aimed to determine the frequency of complexity in mandibular third molar surgeries (MTM) according to the Pederson index in a radiological study of a Peruvian sample. Materials and methods: The sample was made up of 235 MTM present in 120 digital panoramic radiographs of patients from 16 to 55 years of age from a public hospital in Lima in 2019. The data collected were sex, age, tooth position, spatial relationship, depth, relationship to ascending branch, and Pederson index. Results: The MTM showed a prevalence of moderately difficult surgical complexity (53.6 %) with Pederson index (5 [5-6]), mesioangular impaction (46,4 %), high occlusal depth A (46,8 %), and relationship with the reduced class II branch (76,2 %). A higher Pederson index was associated with more age, but not with sex or position. Women presented more dystoangulation and class II relationship, men more horizontal position and class I relationship, and older age was associated with class III relationship (P<0.05). Conclusion: The Peruvian subpopulation showed MTM with a moderately difficult surgical complexity associated with older age, mesioangulation, high occlusal depth, and insufficient retromolar space.