COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MANDIBLE ASYMMETRY IN FULL DENTITION AND IN THIRD MOLAR RETENTION

For the purpose of studying the morphometric characteristics of mandible without retention of the lower third molars, with their unilateral and bilateral retention and examination of the peculiarities of asymmetrical structure of this bone, craniometric research was conducted on 80 mandible samples of adult individuals. All mandibular samples were divided into four groups: I - without wisdom teeth rudiments of; II - with erupted third molars; III - with unilateral retention of the lower third molar, and IV - with their bilateral retention. It was found that the mandible morphometric parameters in the case of bilateral retention of the third molars were similar to those in the absence of wisdom teeth rudiments. Full eruption of these teeth on both sides and even on one side lead to statistically significant size gain of the mandible. It was shown that wisdom teeth retention was associated with distinct axial asymmetry of the mandibular ramus, which was manifested by irregular distance between condylar and coronoid processes on contralateral sides and mental prominence and mandibular angle. Asymmetrical position of mandibular processes in relation to the median plane was established. It was shown that retention of the lower third molar teeth was indicative of systemic changes in the masticatory apparatus.

mandible, wisdom teeth, retention, asymmetry