Background: Third molar (M3) agenesis and impaction are associated with evolution, changed dietary habits, and human jaw growth. The aim of the study was to radiographically evaluate the prevalence of M3s agenesis, impacted M3s with different impaction patterns, and the approximation of Inferior Dental Canal (IDC) with impacted mandibular M3s roots among the Sriganganagar population. Methods: The study included 700 randomly selected subjects from OPD with an age range of 25–45 years. Digital OPGs were taken for all subjects using Kodak 8000C digital OPG machine. The M3 impaction patterns were evaluated using Winter’s classification. Results: The prevalence of subjects with at least one M3 agenesis was found to be 34.1% and with 95% confidence interval was 30.6% to 37.6%. The overall M3s agenesis was 16.8% with more prevalence in the males. The patients with agenesis of one M3, two M3s, three M3s, and four M3s were 14.4%, 11.3%, 3.7% and 4.7%, respectively. M3 agenesis was more in the upper jaw and on the left side. The total impacted M3s were 21.11% with more prevalence in mixed diet subjects. Mesioangular was most common impaction pattern, and notching was most prevalent IDC relationship with impacted mandibular M3s roots. Conclusion: This study highlighted the evolutionary increasing M3 agenesis and the importance of diagnostic OPG for seeing the status of M3s in jaws.

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a developmental anomaly and is characterized by craniofacial and skeletal malformations as well as the presence of numerous supernumerary and unerupted teeth. A 16-year-old patient presented with an unaesthetic facial appearance due to unerupted front teeth. General examination showed the absence of the clavicles, a brachiocephalic skull with frontal bossing and a depressed nasal bridge with concave facial profile. Radiographic examination showed multiple supernumerary teeth, rudimentary clavicles with a bell shaped rib cage and an open sagittal suture. A final diagnosis of cleidocranial dysplasia was made and comprehensive management was planned which involved multi disciplinary approach. The role of dentist is vital in the early diagnosis and management of such cases which require interdisciplinary cooperation for better results.

PURPOSE: The present study was aimed to investigate the variation of soft palate morphology in different age and gender groups. The correlations of radiographic velar length (VL), velar width (VW), pharyngeal depth (PD), and Need's ratio with soft palate variants were also studied in the North Indian subpopulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 300 subjects aged between 15 and 45 (mean: 31.32) years. The velar morphology on lateral cephalograms was examined and grouped into six types. The results obtained were subjected to a statistical analysis to find the correlation between variants of the soft palate with gender and different age groups. RESULTS: The most frequent type of soft palate was leaf shaped (48.7%), and the least common was crook shaped (3.0%) among both the genders and various age groups, showing a significant correlation. The mean VL, VW, and PD values were significantly higher in males and significantly correlated with the types of soft palate. A significant correlation was observed between the mean VL, VW, PD, and Need's ratio with various age groups, showing an inconsistent pattern with an increase in age. The types of soft palate, gender, and Need's ratio were also significantly correlated, with an overall higher mean value of the Need's ratio among female subjects and the S-shaped soft palate. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of a varied spectrum of velar morphology and the variants of the soft palate help in a better understanding of the velopharyngeal closure and craniofacial anomalies.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Palate, Soft* ; Radiography