Age and Gender Comparisons of Patient-related Factors and Clinical Characteristics of Surgically Removed Mandibular Third Molars among a Cohort of Sri Lankan Patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare selected patient-related factors and clinical characteristics of surgically removed mandibular third molars among a cohort of Sri Lankan patients. We hypothesized that age and gender of patients could be significantly associated with their medical conditions, life-style-related risk habits and clinical characteristics of surgically removed mandibular third molars. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 715 patients who underwent mandibular third molar surgeries at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Frequency distributions were presented as descriptive statistics with group comparisons made using chi-square and Fisher’s exact test of statistical significance. Results: There was a significant female preponderance, especially aged ≤ 40 years, among patients who underwent surgical removal of mandibular third molars, of whom 81.1% were impacted. Medical conditions were dominated by hypertension. Smoking was the most prevalent risk habit. These risk habits were significantly higher among patients aged >40 years compared to their younger counterparts (p=0.001). Moreover, beyond 40 years, patients had significantly higher vertical angulation according to Winter’s classification (p=0.002), non-impacted status and Class-1 ramus classification by Pell & Gregory Classification (p=0.001) compared to the younger cohort. Conclusions: There was a significant association between age, gender and life-style-related risk habits, impaction status, angulation and ramus relationship. Therefore, patient-related factors could be useful in ensuring optimal treatment outcomes in surgical removal of mandibular third molars. Studies conducted in other countries would be able to generate more conclusive evidence in this regard.