Evaluation and Comparison of Third Molar Agenesis Among Indian and Malaysian Subpopulations: A Retrospective Orthopantomographic Study

Objective: To evaluate and establish the prevalence of third molar (M3) agenesis among Indian and Malaysian subpopulations. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted as a collaborative study between Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal and Melaka Medical and Dental College, Malaysia (Manipal branch). Following Ethical Committee clearance, digital orthopantomograms (OPG) of students who visited the Dental OPD of Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal for orthodontic treatment or M3 disimpactions were included in the study. The data collected from the OPGs included demographic information (age and sex) and information about the presence or absence of M3. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies for categorical variables and as mean ± standard deviation for age. Additionally, Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test were conducted to evaluate differences within and between the two ethnic groups. Results: Hundred OPGs each of Malaysian and Indian origin students met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 15.8 ± 2.8 years (range: 13– 21 years). The Indian group comprised 52 females and 48 males, while the Malaysian group included 49 females and 51 males. Among the Indian subjects, 7% had M3 present in all four quadrants, whereas 93% exhibited agenesis of M3 in at least one quadrant. Similarly, 8% of Malaysian subjects had M3 present in all four quadrants, and 92% demonstrated agenesis in at least one quadrant. Overall, M3 agenesis was observed in 77.5% of the 200 study participants. Conclusion: M3 agenesis was highly prevalent in both Indian and Malaysian dental students, with no significant difference in overall prevalence between the two groups. Although quadrant-specific variations were observed, most comparisons did not demonstrate statistically significant intergroup differences. Keywords: third molar, agenesis, tooth agenesis, missing tooth, congenital absence, orthopantomogram, Indian, Malaysian, students