Association between sella turcica bridging, third molar agenesis and impaction

Abstract

Introduction: To establish whether sella turcica bridging could be used as a diagnostic indicator of third molar agenesis and determine its correlation with third molar impaction, age, gender, anomalies, and skeletal class. 

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included 99 pretreatment orthopantomograms (OPG) and lateral cephalograms. 30 patients were included as cases with third molars agenesis and 69 patients were included in control with no agenesis. Radiographs were assessed for sella turcica bridging pattern, third molar agenesis, anomalies, third molar impaction, skeletal pattern, age, and gender predilection.

Results: The association between third molar agenesis and sella turcica bridging was found insignificant with p value 0.499. Upper and lower third molar impaction was significantly associated with agenesis cases (p-value 0.005) while insignificantly associated with sella turcica bridging cases. Skeletal class I and II showed more prevalence but relationship was found to be insignificant (p-value 0.346). Third molar agenesis was found common in male patients but had insignificant p value of 0.413. Cases with bridging of sella turcica complete or partial was found significantly associated with age (p value 0.047). Anomalies had inconsequential association with either sella turcica bridging or third molar agenesis cases (p value 0.239).

Conclusions: An insignificant correlation was found between third molar agenesis and sella turcica bridging.  Increased incidence of third molar impaction was associated with third molar agenesis. All skeletal classes were found to be ubiquitous in partial bridging category. Chances of sella turcica bridging increases with age.