Influence of Orthodontic Treatment with Premolar Extraction on the Spatial Position of Maxillary Third Molars in Adult Patients: A Retrospective Cone-bean Computed Tomography Study
Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in position, angulation, and rotation of maxillary third molars in adults after orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction using a space coordinate system based on Cone-bean computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods: Forty-nine maxillary third molars from 27 patients (mean age, 20.78 years) were included in the study. CBCT images were obtained before and after orthodontic treatment with premolars extracted (mean treatment duration, 31.47 months). The changes in the position, angulation, and rotation of the third molars were evaluated with a space coordinates system using four landmarks: anterior nasal spine (ANS), posterior nasal spine (PNS), left and right orbitales. Results: After orthodontic treatment, the third molars moved forward (mean, 1.44 mm) (p < 0.001) and downward (mean, 2.87 mm) (p < 0.001) accompanied by outward rotation (mean, 5.38°) of the crown (p = 0.001), but the changes in angulation were insignificant.Conclusions: This was the first study to systematically investigate the spatial position change of maxillary third molars in adult patients who received orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction. During the process, maxillary third molars moved downward and forward accompanied by outward rotation of the crown.