Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: The aims of this study were firstly to assess the views of oral surgeons and orthodontists regarding prophylactic third molar extraction (TME) to prevent crowding of anterior teeth (CAT), and secondly to analyze the influence of clinical factors on such views, with a particular interest in the potential roles of age and specialty. Methodology: A six-question questionnaire was sent to 166 participants, of which 97 were orthodontists and rest 69 were oral surgeons. Their opinion was recorded on the role played by the third molar eruption in incisor crowding both in the lower and upper jaws. They also had to report their clinical viewpoint on the effectiveness of third molar extraction in order to prevent dental crowding. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out with the data received. Results: 83.8% of the surgeons and the 82.5% of the orthodontists consider the force generated by the upper third molar eruption not able to cause dental crowding. On the contrary, the results related to the mandible arch show a higher percentage of surgeons (36.2%) and orthodontists (47.4%) thinking that the produced force is able to generate crowding. Conclusion: Orthodontists and oral surgeons have the same opinion on the role of the third molar in causing anterior crowding. The majority of both groups of clinicians do not consider their preventive extraction useful in order to prevent anterior crowding