Third molars or wisdom teeth, as they are more commonly known, are the teeth which are most often missing, impacted and with altered morphology. Advances in dental anthropology states that there is a reduction in the number of teeth and size of jaws on evolutionary basis for the past 100000 years. Third incisors, third premolars and fourth molars have disappeared already. At present human third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth often fail to develop, which indicate that these teeth may be on their way out. Although there are some who advice the early removal of the third molars or wisdom teeth, many strongly believe that the retention of asymptomatic third molars or wisdom teeth may be useful in later years as a substitute for badly decayed teeth or may even be useful as a transplant.
There is great variation in the timing of development, calcification, and eruption of third molars or wisdom teeth. Development of wisdom teeth may begin as early as 5 years or as late as 16 years, with the peak formation period at 8 or 9 years. Calcification can start at age 7 years in some children and as late as age 16 years in others. Enamel formation is normally complete between 12 and 18 years and root formation is normally completed between 18 and 25 years. Hellman reported that the average age of eruption was 20.5 years. In 1962, Fanning reported that average ages of eruption of 19.8 years for females and 20.4 years for males. Early formation of third molars or wisdom teeth is generally regarded as predictive of early maturation but not always of early eruption. Most surveys report that more than 17% of lower third molars or wisdom teeth become impacted. Lower third molars or wisdom teeth normally have their occlusal surfaces tilted slightly forwards and lingually during early calcification. As the mandible increases in length, with bone resorption at inner angulation between body and the ascending ramus of the mandible, the third molars or wisdom teeth become more upright. In contrast, upper wisdom teeth erupt downwards, backwards, and often outwards. There is, therefore, a possibility of crossbite, but tongue pressure on lower crowns and buccinator pressure on upper crowns will often correct this. If there is a lack of space, then normal eruptive paths cannot be followed, and crossbite can result.
Eruptive Pathways of Third molars or Wisdom Teeth
Richardson investigated the development of lower third molars or wisdom teeth between ages 10 and 15 years, using models and four cephalometric radiographs (90 degree left lateral, straight posteroanterior and 60 degree' left and right lateral views). She found that the angle of the occlusal surface of the lower third molars or wisdom teeth to the mandibular plane was 41 degree on average she found this decreased by 11 degree by age 15. Successful eruption of the lower third molar or wisdom teeth occurs by the tooth continuing to decrease its angle to the mandibular plane and moving occlusally into sufficient space.
J .N. Fayad et al in AJO 2004 determined the relationship between the maxillary molar’s sagittal inclination and the eruption of third molars or wisdom teeth using CT scans. In their study the sagittal inclination of maxillary first and second molars were greater in the subjects with erupted maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth than in those with impacted third molars or wisdom teeth and particularly in the younger subjects. They concluded that the vertical position of the first maxillary molar in the sagittal plane is a predictor of the eruption of the adjacent third molar and that the sagittal inclination of the maxillary molars increases with age which could be the effect of mesial drift.
Kahl et al when valuated ortho pantomograms of orthodontically treated 58 individuals in which the third molar was asymptomatic. He found out that with time some third molars or wisdom teeth became more upright while others showed more inclination either towards the mesial side or the distal side. They concluded that with third molars or wisdom teeth nothing can be predicted. It is not influences by age, amount of space, amount of bone, developmental stage.
Assessment of Space for Third molars or Wisdom Teeth
Shortage of space between the second molar and the ramus has long been identified as a major factor in the etiology of lower third molar or wisdom teeth impaction. Henry and Morant suggested a technique for predicting impaction of lower third molar or wisdom teeth using their third molar space index obtained by expressing the mesiodistal width of the third molar as a percentage of the space available measured on bimolar radiographs, If this index, exceeded a value of 120 for a person at maturity, impact ion could be predicted. This index decreases as the growth continues and the space available increases. Ledyard, studying lateral jaw radiographs, found that less than a 2 mm increase in space between the lower second molar and the ramus could be expected after the age of 14 years and a negligible increase after 16 years.
Ricketts claimed that, if 50% of the third molar crown lies ahead of the external oblique ridge at maturity, there is a 50% chance of eruption. Schulhof in 1976 claimed that growth prediction can estimate the adult dimension from Xi point to the mandibular second molar on a lateral cephalogram taken at the age of 9 years with a standard error of 2.8 mm. Schulhof suggested that lower third molars or wisdom teeth could not be classified as likely to erupt to good occlusion if the Xi point to lower second molar was measured less than 25mm.
Richard Olive et al in AJO 81 in a study on dried human skulls, examined the reproducibility of estimates of a space width ratio (space available between lower second molar and the ramus divided by mesiodistal width of mandibular third molar or wisdom teeth) on the lateral cephalogram, rotational tomograms (OPG), intraoral bitewings and 60 degree Cephalograms.
A template of cellulose acetate was prepared with a right angle T drawn in line through the lips of the most superior, anterior and posterior cusps of the first premolar to second molar section of buccal segment. The template was placed over the radiograph with the horizontal part of the T on the occlusal plane and the vertical pan touching the most distal part of second molar crown. The space available (AB), the mesiodistal width of the lower third moIar (CD) and space width ratio (AB/CD) were computed from the Digitized data. If this ratio is less than 120% then chances of third molar or wisdom teeth impaction are more. The rotational tomogram, intraoral bitewing and 60 degree rotated cephalogram were superior to the lateral cephalogram on the basis of reliability of results and reproducibility of radiograph technique for estimating the space width ratio.
The results suggested the difficulties in landmark location on lateral cephalogram. Locating anterior border of the ramus on lateral cephalogram is often difficult, which militates against good reproducibility of results. It was shown that the reliability for the lateral cephalogram technique alone was not as good as for the other techniques. The rotational tomograms yielded the most accurate estimates of space width ratio. Intraoral bitewings yielded the next best estimates.
Impacted Third Molars or Wisdom Teeth and Types of Impactions
Archer defined an impacted third molar or wisdom teeth as 'One which was completely or partly erupted and positioned against another tooth, bone or soft tissue, so that its further eruption was unlikely. Dachi and Howell in their study found that the incidence of patients with at least one impacted tooth was 16.7%. Teeth most often impacted in order of frequency were the maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth, mandibular third molars or wisdom teeth, maxillary canines and mandibular premolars. No sex differences were noted. Bjork and colleagues identified 3 skeletal factors that are separately influencing third molar impaction.
Chances of impaction are more if the mandibular length is reduced which is measured from chin point to the condylar head.
It is also influenced by the condylar growth. If condylar growth is in vertical direction, which is shown by mandibular base angle the chances of impaction are more.
Backward directed eruption of mandibular dentition determined by the degree of alveolar prognathism of lower jaw.
Types of Impaction of Wisdom Teeth or Third Molars
Richardson suggested five categories of impaction.
Type A: The tooth can follow the pattern of an ideally developing third molar, by decreasing its angle to the mandibular plane and becoming more upright, but the up righting may not be enough to allow full eruption.
Type B: The angular developmental position relative to the mandibular plane may remain unchanged.
Type C: The tooth can increase its angulation to the mandibular plane and become more mesially inclined. There is at present no reliable way of predicting which teeth will follow this unfavorable pattern, which sometimes occurs unilaterally and leads to horizontal impaction.
Type D: The tooth can be seen to make favorable changes in angulation, but fail to erupt owing to lack of space. These are so called vertical impactions.
Type E: The tooth can continue to change its angulation beyond the ideal occlusal position, and show distoangular impaction or mesio angular impaction
How Third molars or Wisdom Teeth Eruption and become Impacted
Differential root elongation might explain differences in eruptive behavior among lower third molars or wisdom teeth. Richardson offered a theoretical explanation for favourable or unfavourable rotational movement. Favorable change in angulation, to a more upright position, seemed to occur in teeth where the mesial root developed ahead of the distal crown surface and root. The typical root configuration showed a mesial root which was curved in a distal direction and was slightly longer than the distal root. Unfavorable mesial tipping, leading to horizontal impaction, seemed to occur when the distal root became the same length, and then longer than the mesial root. Th e distal root on such teeth was seen to appear to have a mesial curvature.
What Influences Availability of Space for Eruption of Wisdom Teeth
Growth
Bjork et al measured the distance from the anterior border of the ramus to the second molar and concluded that the bigger the space, the better the chance of eruption. Richardson measured an average of 11.4 mm of growth between the age of 10 and 15 years.
Bone Resorption
In 1987 Richardson examined the creation of space for third molars or wisdom teeth in 51 patients and found that increased space was obtained from both the mesial movement of the dentition and bone remodeling along the anterior border of the ramus. On an average 2 mm of posterior space was created by bone remodeling.
Space Released by Attrition
In so called primitive dentition, where considerable attrition takes place, the third molars or wisdom teeth erupt to take up the space released. Begg felt that lack of this attrition due to highly refined diets, was a major cause of third molar impaction. Other authors such as Profitt have questioned this hypothesis. Early and extensive interproximal caries could also reduce the size of erupted teeth owing to disappearance of proximal contacts.
Second Molar Extraction
Richardson and Richardson in AJO 93 investigated 63 patients after extraction of lower second molars and found that all the lower third molars or wisdom teeth erupted more or less successfully after an average observation period o f 5.8 years. There was considerable variation in the time taken for eruption, ranging from 3 to 10 years and Richardson noted that it is not possible to predict how long eruption will take.
Bonham Magness in JCO 86 suggests that upper third molars or wisdom teeth have a much more predictable eruption pattern than lower third molars or wisdom teeth. He suggested the extraction of upper second molars in some cases to assist first molar positioning and increase space for upper third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom Teeth.
Tae-Woo Kim et a l in AJO 2003 confirmed the findings of Faubion and Kaplan that impaction of mandibular third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom Teeth occurs about twice as often in non extraction patients than in extraction patients. The mechanism may be that premolar extraction therapy is associated with an increase in the amount of mesial move ment of the maxillary and mandibular molars and an increase in the eruption space for the third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom Teeth. Cephalometric growth studies suggest two important mechanisms for development of the retromolar space in the mandible. Resorption at the anterior border of the ascending ramus and the anterior migration of the posterior teeth during the functional phase of tooth eruption. More than 60% of the patients in the study with a distance of 23 mm or less from the distal of the mandibular second molar to the Ricketts’ Xi point at the end of the active treatment experienced eruption of the mandibular third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom Teeth. The retromolar space can increase about 2 mm from age 15 to adulthood. They also showed that as many as 60% of the cases with distance from the anterior border of the ramus to the distal of the second molar of 5 mm or less experienced eruption space associated with a high risk of impaction might be smaller than previously suggested.
Dental Procedures for Impacted Wisdom Teeth or Third molars
Third molar or wisdom Teeth retention may be beneficial in many situations. Some investigators maintain that third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom Teeth could be used at a later date as replacements or for prosthetic abutments in case of loss of first and second molars. Third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom Teeth could also be used as transplants. In shallow mesio angular impactions Richardson used a one stage method. A second molar tube can normally be bonded onto the buccal aspect of a partly erupted lower third molar, if enough enamel is visible. It is then possible to include the tooth in full treatment, if other teeth are already bonded and bracketed. If the case is not fully banded, then lower second or first molars alone can be used with a lingual arch for support.
In deep mesio angular impactions, a two stage method is used. If it is not possible to bond onto the buccal surface, a different technique is used which can be delayed until 18 -19 years of age to allow time for the tooth to improve its position. The first stage involves bonding a second molar tube onto the occlusal surface of the lower third molar. The hook is removed from the tube, before bonding. Lower first or second molars are banded with a lingual arch, using first molar bands and brackets. A small sectional archwire with a compressed coil spring, is used to provide a distalizing and up righting force to the crown of the impacted molars. After some up righting using this method, it is normally possible to bond a tube buccally for the second stage.
Ike Siodov et al in AIO 89 describes an orthodontic up righting technique similar to 'Sling shot ' appliance described by Moyers and by Profitt. Modified impaction related surgical procedures provide easy application of techniques to facilitate exposure of unerupted and partially erupted third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth and allow orthodontic manipulation.
After surgical exposure a cleat is bonded in center of mesial marginal ridge. The wire port ion of the appliance is fabricated from 0.032 inch stainless steel wire and adapted closely to the mucosa. The mesial hook is placed 3 mm distal to the distal portion of the third molar. Standard soldering techniques are used to attach the wire to the buccal (or lingual) surface of the band. Appliance is cemented in place and is activated with elastic modules.
By manipulation of the distal arm of the appliance either buccally or lingually, depending on the desired movement, teeth can be directed or rotated with some effectiveness. Variation can also be accomplished by alteration of the bond position of the cleat. Following activation, rapid up righting and distalisation will occur in 3 to 6 months in most cases. Grinding of occlusal surface is not necessary. When the third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth are upright, the appliances are removed and the third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth are banded, leveled and aligned with the rest of the teeth.
This procedure is contraindicated when the molar to the uprighted has no antagonist or is severely malformed or is abnormally large or small, and it should he done carefully when there is a tendency for open bite.
Advantages of Uprighting Impacted Third molars or Wisdom Teeth
Ease of fabrication and manipulation.
Rapid treatment.
Little discomfort.
No demands for patient cooperation.
Orton and Jones in JCO 87 described a simple whip spring that is unobtrusive and fairly fast acting with a treatment time of 4 to 12 months. It is used for disimpacting mild to severe mesially impacted lower terminal molars (LTM). LTM crown must be accessible for an edgewise tube preferably on a band. Partial seating of the band on the mesial surface is acceptable at first, which can be fully seated as correction proceeds. If the impacted molar has not sufficiently erupted then surgically expose distobuccal surface and bond an attachment.
The whip spring is fabricated with 0.018 x 0.025 wire for 0.022 slot and 0.017 x 0.022 wire for 0.018 slot. A circular loop is placed mesial to the tube to prevent posterior displacement of the wire and to provide attachment of an elastic module that anchors the wire in the tube. Wire extends mesially from the loop. A vertical bend is pieced occlusally next to the midbuccal fissure of the anchor molar. The wire is curved lingually to pass through the midbuccal groove onto the occlusal surface. It is then contoured distally to run along the occlusal surface. Moving the whip to the occlusal surface of the anchor molar activates the appliance. The whip spring can be reactivated in the mouth by lifting the wire away from occlusal surface and gently squeezing the arm of the spring between loop and vertical bend with Tweeds loop forming plier. After initial adjustment of 3 to 4 weeks, adjustments every 6 weeks seem to be adequate. Over correction is advised.
The force of the whip tends to extrude the impacted molar and intrude the anchor molar. If there is too much intrusion of anchor molar, a new whip can be made that extends to another anchor tooth. The couple tends to disimpact the LTM by a combination of distal crown tipping and mesial root movement, resulting in root paralleling of the molars.
If the vertical development of the LTM is impeded by an upper molar, then the over erupted upper molar must be intruded by a removable appliance with an intrusive arm.
Replacement of Third molars or Wisdom Teeth for Second Molars
During growth o f maxilla, space to accommodate the erupting first, second and third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth must be created by growth in the posterior region of the tuberosity. The maxillary growth in this area must normally be downward and forward to create room for the eruption of each succeeding molar. If growth in this region is insufficient, abnormal eruption or lack of eruption will be the result. According to Malcolm R Chipman in AJO 1961 the third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth can be substituted for the second molars in certain situations and solve some of the problems of maxillary tuberosity area. The indications for eliminating maxillary second molar and replacing it with third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth are:
Maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth are of fair size and shape with the possibility of good root development.
Small, restricted maxillary tuberosities and the possibility of interference with distal movement in maxillary posterior region.
Second molars erupted buccally.
Second molars are decayed, badly decalcified or having large restorations.
Maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth in favourable position and angulation relative to second molars and maxillary tuberosity.
Maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth in favourable relation to mandibular second molars.
Desirability of relieving the anchorage unit s of an overload.
The replacement of maxillary second molar will be considered in both Class I and Class II malocclusions. The contraindications for substitutions are:
Maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth too high in the tuberosity.
Maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth too low in relation to the second molars.
Poor angulation in relation to second molar and the tuberosity.
The possibility of third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth involving maxillary sinus.
Small, odd shaped third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth or an indication of the formation of small roots.
There is a great variation in the time of development of third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth and this together with the amount of development in the tuberosity region, has a bearing on the decisions to be made in the event of a needed maxillary distal movement and a possible replacement of the second molar by third molar. For this reason the dental age as evidenced by the development of dental components, must be given as much considerations as chronological age.
The shape of third molar crowns is also considered. Small crowns with narrow width at the cervical margin not lend themselves to development of normal sized roots. Many third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth have odd shaped crowns with irregular cusp formations, and, while occlusal grinding frequently is needed, there is a limit to its use and these teeth cannot be recommended.
During its eruption following a second molar extraction, the third molar rotates or tip mesially as it descend. The amount of rotation is directly associated with the degree of angulation. The greater the degree of angulation, the greater is the amount of rotation, with the center of rotation being based on root apex. This rotation together with the downward and forward path of eruption is a major factor in determining when the second molar extraction may be planned. The ideal condition calls for the descending
third molar to come into contact with the maxillary first molar and into occlusion with the mandibular second molar at the same time.
In a Class I malocclusion, the third molar should have descended to the extent that the occlusal surface is approximately level with the vertical mid line of second molar root and the mesial surface of unerupted third molar is fairly in line horizontally with the distal
surface of mandibular second molar. Following extraction of second molar, the third molar will then descend in a downward and forward arc, rotating into contact and occlusion at the same time. If third molar is at a much higher point there is a possibility of impaction or premature cont act, before occlusion is attained. If it is at a lower level in relation to second molars, it is likely to erupt into occlusion before contact is established with first molar, resulting in open contacts and poor interproximal situations. In Class II malocclusions, the crown of maxillary third molar is horizontally advanced in relation to the mandibular second molar. In Class II cases in which second molar is to be extracted, the most ideal location of third molar is approximately at the junction of crown and root of second molar. The angulation of maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth to the plane of occlusion and their relation to the tuberosity must be carefully considered. The usable angulation will range from 0 to +30 degree (Distal tip) to occlusal plane.
Orton-Gibbs et al in AJO 2001 described the eruptive path of maxillary and mandibular third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth after extraction of second molars with the use of radiograph and assessed the final position from study models. They showed that the angulation o f the mandibular
third molar crown long axis showed progressive uprighting from a mean of 55 degrees to the occlusal plane at the start of active treatment (SAT). Uprighting of mandibular third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth from SAT to end of active treatment (EAT) was limited (mean 6 Degrees). However the third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth continued to upright thereafter on average a further 13 degree. Clinically it is important to note that EAT radiographs will not give a true picture of the likely final mandibular third molar angulation. Approximately 50% of the space closure occurs by EAT. Interestingly space closure is not a result of mesial tipping but is due to significant horizontal translation. The relationship of the first and the third molar crown should be the most important indicator of successful outcome, not angulation of the whole tooth. The results confirm findings by Dacre and Richardson and Richardson that the original angulation of the third molar is not a reliable predictor of outcome for third molar position.
In contrast to the mandibular third molars or wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth, the maxillary third molars or wisdom teeth upright rapidly by 14 degrees on average, from SAT to EAT. Angular changes are minimal as the maxillary molars settle into occlusion. The rate of vertical change is rapid, with almost 7 mm of eruption occurring by the completion of active treatment and a further 6 mm after active treatment.
The third molars or wisdom teeth in the study were invariably in a position that maintains a good functional occlusion. The periodontal health of the sample was excellent. There was no correlation between third molar position and the presence of gingivitis or periodontitis. The results showed that relief of crowding by removal of second molar is a realistic option in appropriate cases with mild to moderate crowding, particularly in patients in whom third molar impaction is predicted and in reducing the likelihood of increasing crowding through the teenage years.
Auto Transplantation of Third molars or Wisdom Teeth
Auto transplantation of teeth has become an accepted and reliable treatment modality in patients with early loss of teeth or aplasia. According to William Northway in AJO 80 autogenic tooth transplantation can give the concept of space management a much broader horizon. Third molars or wisdom teeth have been frequently used for transplantation. These teeth, which are often extracted, have served well as replacements, for cariously destroyed first molars. Their root development which continues into the late teen s and twenties makes these teeth suitable for use into adulthood. The last tooth in the arch may offer better access for removal and it is essential that the root not be damaged in any way during its relocation. The prognosis for successful transplantation is diminished as the root apex nears closure. Revascularisation must take place. While post operative resorption is rarely reported, the effective reduction in root length is minimized by allowing adequate development prior to transplantation. Hale believed that the most favorable time for transplanting was at 3 to 5 mm of root formation. Apfel stressed the need for delaying transplantation until after furcation formation. Andreasen, Baum, Peskin and Guralnick have contended that the results will be maximized if the operations are performed sometime between one third and three fourth of completion of root formation.
Proper alveolar architecture is essential for housing the transplant. The recipient site should be covered with adequate attached, keratinized tissue to allow proper coverage or approximation to the transplant and it should be free of chronic inflammation. Mesiodistal space deficiencies be eliminated prior to the surgical procedure, either by orthodontic means or by slicing of adjacent teeth. Also there should be adequate Iabiolingual width on the ridge to accommodate alveolar plates on both surfaces.
Surgical Procedure for Transplantation of Third Molar or Wisdom Tooth
A full thickness muco-periosteal flap should be employed, allowing adequate exposure for atraurnatic preparation of the recipient site. A very gentle handling of the soft tissue is ensured. The socket is prepared with bone burs and rongeurs. Once the socket is judged to be of adequate depth and circumference, a trial insertion of pre sterilized dummy tooth can be made. Ideally, the preparation of the recipient site will allow insertion deep enough that the cusp tips will be at or apical to the alveolar crest height. This allows eruption and hence roots formation postoperatively. Now the transplant can be removed. Again, adequate flaps allow exposure and a minimum of trauma. With gentle manipulation of surgical instruments, the dental follicle is removed from around the crown. The tooth is removed and transferred immediately to the previously prepared crypt. It is preferable that the tooth be manipulated only by its crown. In the event that buccolingual width does not allow proper placement, it can he inserted in a rotated position. This wiII allow preservation of alveolar crest and the tooth can later be repositioned orthodontically as desired. Muco-periosteal flap is repositioned and sutures are placed over the crown to hold the tissues together and tooth in its crypt. After a week or 10 days sutures are removed and direct bonded stabilization can be employed for up to 6 weeks.
Oskar Bauss et al in AJO 2004 in their study determined the influence of orthodontic tooth movements on pulpal and periodontal conditions in transplanted immature third molars or wisdom teeth. The indication for transplantation was aplasia of premolars or early loss of molars.
In patients with horizontal atrophy of alveolar process with narrow alveolar ridges and unfavorable root morphology, transplants were placed in 45 to 90 degrees distally rotated positions. Derotation to a correct position in the dental arch was performed with
a couple of forces. The initial rotational force varied between 200 to 300 grams/mm. Mean rotation time was 12 weeks. After complete derotation, all transplant s were integrated into a fixed appliance for leveling and approximal space closure. Average Orthodontic treatment time was 15.2 months.
In vertically atrophied jaw sections, transplants were fixed in distinct infraocclusion (average 5.1 mm). Transplants were leveled to the occlusal plane before closing the approximal spaces. Mean orthodontic treatment time was for 14.4months.
For determining pulpal and periodontal conditions, clinical and radiologic examinations were carried out. Autotransplanted third molars or wisdom teeth without subsequent orthodontic treatment had the best pulpal and periodontal results. All transplants were at the developmental stage with their open apices providing a high chance of pulp revascularization.
The results suggest that orthodontic extrusion and minor lateral tooth movement have no harmful effects on the pulpal and periodontal condition of autotransplanted immature third molars or wisdom teeth. Atrophy of the alveolar process did not affect pulpal and periodontal healing of the transplants in the extrusion group. A certain amount of spontaneous eruption had occurred in most patients by the time orthodontic treatment began. The formation of new alveolar processes was observed during subsequent orthodontic treatment.
Revascularisation started on the fourth postoperative day with an in growth of new vessels and was usually completed after 30 days, with the entire pulp containing new vessels. In contrast to pulpal revascularization, first signs of pulpal reinnervation cannot be demonstrated until at least a month after transplantation and are limited to the apical part of the pulp. Even after 2 years, the restored pulpal nerves are described as sparse, and the new axons are small in diameter. By postponing the onset of orthodontic treatment to the third to sixth month after transplantation and slower derotation of multi rooted transplants might increase the success rate.
Effect of Wisdom Teeth or Third molars on Orthodontic Treatment
Lower arch crowding after establishment of the permanent dentition during teen age period (post adolescent crowding) is a common orthodontic problem. This late lower arch crowding is caused by pressure from the back of the arch. Whether this pressure results from a developing third molar, physiologic mesial drift or the anterior component of force derived from the forces of occlusion on mesially inclined teeth is not clear. There is also a school of thought holding the view that in the absence of third molar, the dentition has room to settle distally under anterior pressures caused by late growth or soft tissue changes. Thus the third molar plays, at the very least, a passive role in the development of late lower arch crowding.
Bishara et al calculated the change in lower incisors at the age of 12 to 25 years and again at the age of 45 years. They tried to find out the tooth size arch length discrepancy. It was seen that there is a difference of 2.7mm in males and 3.5 in females. This is due to the decrease in arch length with time.
