REASONS FOR EXTRACTION OF MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN EASTERN NEPAL

Background: Mandibular third molar is unique as relatively large number are either malposed, impacted or underdeveloped. This characteristic often leads to higher prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases and pathological lesions such as cysts, tumours or space infections leading to extraction of mandibular third molars. The objective of this study was to assess the reasons for mandibular third molar extraction. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 146 patients from 1st August 2021 to 31st July 2022 in the department of Dental surgery of Birat medical college and teaching hospital. Data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Results: Out of 146 patients 90 (61.6%) were females and 56 (38.4%) were males. Reasons for mandibular third molar extraction were dental caries (n=67; 45.9%), impaction (n=62; 42.5%), periodontitis (n=10; 6.8%) and others (n=; 4.8%) which included traumatic ulcer on the tongue (n=3; 2%), angle fracture of the mandible (n=2; 1.4%), dentigerous cyst (n=1; 0.7%) and fascial space infection (n=1; 0.7%).  Conclusions: The most common reasons for extraction of mandibular third molar was dental caries. Most common reason for extraction in age ≤ 25 years was impaction and it gradually shifted to dental caries as age progressed. Impaction was the most common reason for extraction of mandibular third molar in males however it was dental caries in females.