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Rotational drift of mandibular third molar teeth: a series of four cases
Author(s) -
Hughes AJ,
Vudiniabola ST,
McMillan BD,
Smith AC
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2008.01089.x
Subject(s) - molar , rotation (mathematics) , dentistry , mandibular third molar , incidence (geometry) , series (stratigraphy) , orthodontics , degree (music) , etiology , medicine , mathematics , geology , geometry , physics , pathology , paleontology , acoustics
Rotational drift of mandibular third molar teeth is a challenge for clinicians to predict and manage. Evidence on the incidence and degree of rotation is sparse. As the factors influencing rotation are not defined, prediction is impossible. A series of four cases with lower third molar rotation are presented and discussed. Significant rotation can alter the degree of difficulty for an extraction. A lack of well‐documented cases has hindered investigation of this phenomenon. Further research is required to identify the aetiology, incidence and increase in risk factors caused by such rotational drift.