Research Information System University of Greifswald

Mksoud M*¹, Ittermann T², Daboul A³, Schneider P, Bernhardt O⁴, Koppe T⁵, Bülow R⁶, Metelmann H¹, Völzke H², Kindler S¹

1 - Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde / Klinik und Poliklinik für Mund-Kiefer-Gesichtschirurgie/Plastische Operationen

2 - Institut für Community Medicine / Abt. SHIP KEF

3 - Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde / Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Alterszahnheilkunde und Medizinische Werkstoffkunde

4 - Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde / Poliklinik für Zahnerhaltung,Parodontologie, Endodontologie; Präventive Zahnmedizin und Kinderzahnheilkunde

5 - Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie

6 - Zentrum für Radiologie / Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie und Neuroradiologie

Objectives: To examine the association between third molars and orofacial pain. We hypothesized that impacted third molars are a cause of orofacial pain. Methods: Magnetic resonance images of 1808 participants from two population-based cohorts from Northeastern Germany were analysed to define the status of third molars according to the Pell and Gregory classification. A self-reported questionnaire and a clinical dental examination were used to detect chronic and acute complaints of orofacial pain, masticatory muscle pain, migraine and other types of headache. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the associations between third molar status and orofacial pain. Results: Individuals with impacted third molars in the maxilla had a higher chance of chronic orofacial pain than those with erupted third molars (odds ratio 2.19; 95% CI 1.19-4.02). No such association was detected for third molars in the lower jaw. Third molars were not associated with masticatory muscle pain, migraine or other types of headache. Conclusions: Impacted maxillary third molars might be a cause of chronic orofacial pain. Thus, physicians should consider the eruption/impaction status of third molars in their decision-making process when treating patients who complain of orofacial pain.