Features of vertical and horizontal face profiling in upper third molars retention

Abstract

The study was conducted on 80 skulls of adult people systematized into 2 groups: I - with erupted third molars; II - with their bilateral retention. To study the vertical profiling of the face the total angle of the facial profile, the angle of the facial alveolar part, as well as the sides and angles of the facial triangle were measured. To study the horizontal profiling of the face, the values of the nasal and zygo-maxillary angles were measured. It was found that the total angle of the facial profile in both groups varies from 82 to 85°, the angle of the alveolar part is significantly larger with complete eruption of third molars. It is shown that in the group with bilateral retention of third molars, the values of the prosthion-basion distance are, on average, 10 mm less than in the group with fully erupted wisdom teeth; the value of the angle with the vertex at the nasion point is significantly less in the group with third molars retention, and the zygo-maxillary angle is significantly larger. It is proved that the complicated eruption of upper third molars is accompanied by changes in the structure of the gnathic part of the face and generally affects its vertical and horizontal profiling.