Ten reasons to not ignore the third molar

Alberto CONSOLARO, Omar HADAYA

Introduction: The third molars are forgotten because they are the last in the dental arch, they do not directly influence the smile and they appear only in adolescence, when they do. Objectives: 1) to provide the clinician with a “checklist” to assess and diagnose changes to be screened in the third molar region in new patients; 2) to reveal the importance of not discharging the patient submitted to any dental treatment without first analyzing the third molars region clinically and on imaging examinations, since many diseases are associated to them. Result: A list of 10 situations that cover all diagnostic possibilities involving the third molars is presented. Conclusion: Adopting this protocol is a matter of habit, since the need is fundamental. The next professional assisting your patient may ask: “Did he not request examinations for the third molars?”.

Keywords: Third molars. Pericoronaritis. Paradental cyst. Tooth resorptions. Unerupted teeth. Dentigerous cyst.

How to cite: Consolaro A, Hadaya O. Ten reasons to not ignore the third molar. Dental Press J Orthod. 2021 Jan-Feb;26(1):e21ins1. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.1.e21ins1

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