The Classification of Lower Third Molar Impaction and Relationship to Sociodemographics

Background: Impacted teeth occur due to eruption failure caused by a lack of space in the dental arch or obstruction by surrounding tissues. Clinical complaints vary depending on the angulation, depth, and relationship with the second molar based on the Pell & Gregory and Winter classifications. In addition to clinical aspects for determining diagnosis and treatment, analyzing patient sociodemographic data is essential as it can influence clinical considerations, healthcare administration, and the patient's quality of life. Objective: A Classification of Lower Third Molar Impaction and Its Relationship to Sociodemographic Factors Methods: This descriptive-analytical study used secondary data from medical records and panoramic X-rays of patients at dental practices in the Jakarta area. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria, including sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, education, occupation) and impaction classification. Results: The highest prevalence of lower third molar impaction cases is consistently associated with the following characteristics: female gender, age 23, a bachelor’s degree (S1), and student status. Across all sociodemographic groups, the most frequently observed anatomical impaction characteristic is Class II, Position A, with a mesioangular angle. Conclusion: There is an indirect association between the classification of lower wisdom tooth impaction and patients’ sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education level, and occupation). Diet, lifestyle, the critical period of wisdom tooth eruption, health awareness, financial independence, and access to health care are factors that influence the frequency of dental visits among patients with impacted teeth.