Prevalence and pattern of third molars impaction in a large Yemeni sample: a retrospective study

The prevalence of teeth impaction varies substantially between different populations, and the impaction of third molars is the most commonly recorded. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and pattern of the third molars impactions among Yemeni population. This was a retrospective radiographic study conducted in Yemen between 2022 and 2023. The digital panoramic radiographs were collected from two major X-ray centers in Yemen. The angular position and depth of the impacted third molars were assessed according to the classifications of Winter and of Pell and Gregory, respectively. All radiographs were evaluated twice by one investigator in a two-week interval, and Kappa test was used for intra-rater reliability. Gender-wise differences, differences between both sides, and differences between maxilla and mandible were analyzed using Chi-squared tes with odds ratio (OR) for the risk of impaction. A P-value