Association of indications for mandibular third molar coronectomy and the Pell and Gregory and the Winter classification systems

The purpose of this study was to determine how the surgeon’s decision to perform a mandibular third molar coronectomy or surgical removal is associated with the impaction pattern as classified using Pell and Gregory or Winter’s system.

This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 813 mandibular third molars belonging to 565 patients. All patients were referred for removal of the mandibular third molar and had radiographic signs indicating a close relationship with the inferior alveolar nerve. Panoramic images were classified according to the impaction pattern.

A coronectomy was performed on 492 (60.5%) mandibular third molars.

Most impacted mandibular third molars were class IIB with a mesioangular inclination. A significant association was found between the Pell and Gregory classification and the surgeon’s choice (p = 0.002). Winter’s classification was not significantly associated with surgeon choice (p = 0.425).

Mandibular third molar coronectomy is chosen more frequently than surgical removal if molars are class III and position B.

Not applicable.