Table 1. | Mandibular third molar impaction classification |
| Position of the mandibular third molar | Risk degree of presumptive intervention (score) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional (0) | Simple (1) | Moderate (2) | Complicated (3) | |
| Mesiodistal position in relation to the second molar - M and the mandibular ramus - R | ||||
| Relation to the second molar - M | Crown directed at or above the equator of the second molar | Crown directed below the equator to the coronal third of the second molar root | Crown/roots directed to the middle third of the second molar root | Crown/roots directed to the apical third of the second molar root |
| Relation to the mandibular ramus - R | Sufficient space in the dental arch | Partially impacted in the ramus | Completely impacted in the ramus | Completely impacted in the ramus in distoangular or horizontal position |
| Apicocoronal position in relation to the alveolar crest - A and the mandibular canal - C (IAN injury risk) | ||||
| Relation to the adjacent alveolar crest (from the uppermost point of the tooth) - A | Tooth is completely erupted | Partially impacted, but widest part of the crown (equator) is above the bone | Partially impacted, but widest part of the crown (equator) is below the bone | Completely encased in the bone |
| Relation to the mandibular canal (from the lowermost point of the tooth) - C | ≥ 3 mm to the mandibular canal | Contacting or penetrating the mandibular canal, wall of the mandibular canal may be identified | Contacting or penetrating the mandibular canal, wall of the mandibular canal is unidentified | Roots surrounding the mandibular canal |
| Buccolingual position in relation to mandibular lingual and buccal walls - B (LN injury risk) | ||||
| Relation to mandibular lingual and buccal walls - B | Closer to buccal wall | In the middle between lingual and buccal walls | Closer to lingual wall | Closer to lingual wall, when the tooth is partially impacted or completely encased in the bone (A2 or A3) |
| Spatial position - S | ||||
| Spatial position - S | Vertical (90°) | Mesioangular ≤ 60° | Distoangular ≥ 120° | Horizontal (0°) or inverted (270°) |
IAN = inferior alveolar nerve; LN = lingual nerve. |