HISTOLOGIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF PATHOLOGIC CHANGE IN COMPLETE IMPACTED THIRD MOLARS DENTAL FOLLICLES

Shafiqa Mohammed Haidra Masdoose1, Akram Thabet Nasher1, Monya A. El-Zine2, 

Ameen Abdullah Yahya Al-Akwa3image, Hassan Abdulwahab Al-Shamahy4image, Mohammed A Al-labani3 

1Department of Maxillo-Facial, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana’a University, Republic of Yemen.

2Departement of  Histopathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Republic of Yemen.

3Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Prevention Department Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University, Yemen.

4Departement of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana’a University, Republic of Yemen.

ABSTRACT 

Background: Prophylactic extraction of the asymptomatic impacted third molar is routinely practiced in Europe and the United States. The justification for prophylactic extraction includes the need to reduce the risk of pathologic changes such as cysts and tumors.  

Objectives: This study aimed to study the histological and radiological changes in the tooth follicles of upper and lower complete impacted 3rd molars -which appeared radiologically normal. 

Material and method: A prospective study included fifty patients aged 20 years and above who were referred to the Oral Surgery Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sana'a. Patients had follicular space between (2.5mm -3mm) as measured by the panoramic X-ray. These teeth were removed surgically and the follicle was sent for histopathological examination. 

Results: Most histopathological changes were in dental follicles with a size of <2.5 mm (86%), and only 14% with 2.5 mm - 3 mm. There was statistical significance between the smallest size of dental follicles with the incidence of pathological histological changes indicating a high probability of developing neoplasm (p =0.008).  Of the 50 follicular patients, 28% showed HC, nine (64%) had ameloblastoma, four (29%) had a dentigerous cyst, and only one case (7%) had a multicalcified focus with islands of odontogenic epithelium. While 72% of the samples had normal follicles and non-specific chronic inflammatory cells. There is an association between female sex and pathological histological changes (12 females: 2 males, p =0.008), age group 21-25 years (93% HC), with mandibles (65% HC). Regarding angle and histopathological changes, 36% were vertical, 29% mesioangular, 14.2% horizontal and destioangular, and 7.1% buccoangular. 

Conclusion:  High incidence of HC occurred in patients with DF, and it was associated with smaller dental follicle size, most HC was ameloblastoma, followed by dentigerous cyst, while 72% of samples had normal follicles and non-specific chronic inflammatory cells. There is a correlation between female gender, younger age group, and jaw position with HC. Prophylactic extraction of the asymptomatic impacted third molar should be routinely practiced in Yemen, to reduce the risk of pathological changes, especially in females and younger age groups.

Keywords: Dental follicle (DF), histopathological changes (HC), Impacted Third Molars,  Oral pathology,  Radiographic width, Sana’a, Yemen.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Dental follicle or the primitive dental sac, which initiates from odontogenic ectomesenchyme, is part of the tooth germ and is physiologically concerned in the formation of cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. This fibrous connective tissue typically includes odontogenic cell rests, which could be the source of any pathology similar to ameloblastoma, ameloblastic fibroma etc., radiographically it becomes visible as thin pericoronal radiolucency, believed  normal by some authors when within 3mm of thickness and by others when it is within 2.5mm of thickness1,2. Reports in the literature discussed the prevalence of various cyst and tumour development associated with the asymptomatic follicle of impacted tooth3. Dental follicle may illustrate various histopathological changes during tooth development which may sometimes cause the development of odontogenic tumours and cysts. Foci of calcification are seen as an ordinary finding in the stroma of dental follicles3. The hard tissue formation has been considered as a sub-classification in the WHO classification of odontogenic tumours; however, in earlier studies on dental follicle,  this parameter has not been much explored. Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play an important role in odontogenesis and its associated pathologies and therefore in the studies of dental follicle, along with epithelial component emphasis should be laid on mesenchyme as well2.

To our knowledge and according to the archive of the Library of the National Information Center in Yemen, which contains database of more than 13,000 scientific papers and few of them were in diseases and disorders of teeth4-13, there is no study in Yemen that was conducted to investigate the histological and radiological changes in the complete impacted 3rd molars dental follicles. Thus this is the first study in this important topic. This study was carried out to assess the histological and radiological changes in dental follicles of the upper and lower complete impacted 3rd molars- which appeared radiographically normal - among Yemeni people, Sana'a city.  The study  determined the incidence of histolopathological changes in soft tissues surrounding impacted third molar teeth (pericoronal tissues) among patients  20 years of age and above, and  also determined the need for routine removal of complete impacted third molars under the prophylactic indication, the types of HC,  size of dental follicle, and others factors that associated with HC in soft tissues in dental follicles as gender, age of the patients, site (Mandible\Maxilla), side (Right\ Left), and angulation. 

 

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

 A prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of histological and radiological changes in soft tissue (dental follicles) around the complete impacted 3rd molars (which appeared radiographically normal and no clinical evidence of changes).  The study population included patients who had been referred to the clinic of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University for extraction of complete impacted 3rd molars in Sana’a City between March 2018 to March 2019. 

Inclusion criteria

  1. Age of patient 20 years old and above.  
  2. Complete impacted 3rd molars 
  3. Dental follicle space between (< 2.5mm - ≤ 3mm). 
  4. d) No pathological evidence in panoramic film. e) No abnormal soft tissue in mucosa which covering the tooth (impacted 3rd molars).

Exclusion criteria 

  1. Partially impacted 3rd molars. 
  2. Medically compromised patients. 
  3. Dental follicles were ruptured and lost through an aggressive work during extraction of the impacted tooth. 
  4. Associated pathology in panoramic film of the impacted 3rd molars. 
  5. Previous operation or fracture in mandible at the site of 3rd molars.

Clinical works and Data collection

All patients had undergone a clinical assessment and all information was collected in a data collection sheet (case sheet), which was designed to have a methodological recording.  All the panoramic images were done in (Al-Waleed x–ray). The model of machine is Pax i 3D Green 15 x 15 (PHT – 60 CFO), company VATECH, made in South Korea. After panoramic x-ray was taken to the patients, all impacted 3rd molars were classified based on Winter's classification. On the image of impacted 3rd molars two perpendicular lines (AA and BB) were drawn, one of the line passed through the center of the crown and the other line passed through the long axis of the tooth. From the point where the two lines intersected, a ruler in digital program was moved to the widest part of the follicular space and measurement of the size of dental follicle of the complete impacted 3rd molars were obtained. Impacted 3rd molars patients who had  follicular space (< 2.5mm) and (2.5mm - ≤ 3 mm) were included in the study.

Reliability of measurement

The observer repeated the measurement of  the widest space of the follicular space with the same means of measurement mentioned above. A comparison was made between the 1st, 2nd, 3rd  measurements to determine the reliability ratio between the three measurements , the results showed that Cronbach 's Alpha coefficient was (0.910) which means that all readings were reliable.

Surgical procedure

Surgical site of impacted third molars region was irrigated with normal saline and prepared for the surgical procedure. Infiltration was placed in addition to Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block (I.A.N. B). A scalpel with number 15 blade was used to make incision for the creation of a flap (Triangular flap). A full mucoperiosteal flap was elevated by using a periosteal elevator. Then a straight hand- piece with adequate speed and torque was used to remove bone from occlusal aspect of tooth with copious normal saline irrigation. Bone guttering was done up to cervical line, buccal and distal aspect, buccal cortical plate was removed minimally. In horizontal impaction, crown was sectioned from the roots in vertical plane. In vertically impacted teeth, the distal aspect of the crown was sectioned and removed first. In the case of distoangular impaction, it was sectioned to the distal portion of the crown or complete crown in horizontal plate and then removed. After removal of impacted teeth a proper and adequate debridment was done. Round bur and bone file were used to smoothen any sharper bony edges. The follicle was enucleated from the socket by using hemostat and periapical curette  and then cleaned with normal saline and closure of the flap was done with 3-0 black silk interrupted sutures. Follicular tissue was cleaned with normal saline and sent for histopathology in 10% formalin.

Histopathological procedure

The dental follicle specimens were processed and sections were obtained from the blocks embedded in paraffin. This was done using a rotarymicrotome and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin stains and montage on slides and viewed under microscope by histopathologist.

Statistical analysis

Data were reported using appropriate descriptive statistics (including frequency, mean, standard deviation, and p-value). All statistical analyzes of the data were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 and Excel 2007. They were recorded after data were collected and entered into SPSS for analysis. The Chi-square test was used to investigate the significant differences in the incidence of pathological changes in the tooth follicles of the affected third molars with size ranging from (<2.5 mm) to (2.5 mm - 3 mm), gender and location, side and size of the tooth follicle, and 2007 excels in the other variables (age, places, causes of extraction).

Ethical Approval 

Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Research and Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University. All data, including patient identification were kept confidential.



Figure 1: The distribution of histopathological changes in dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars.

 

RESULTS

 

Distribution of histopathological changes in dental follicles: Of the fifty dental follicles from complete impacted 3rd molars that were evaluated, fourteen (28%) showed pathological changes and 36 (72%) did not show any histological changes and there was a significant difference for the occurrence of pathological change (p=0.002) (Figure 1).

Types of histopatholgical changes in dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars: According to histopathology results, nine (64 %) were ameloblastoma, four (29%) were dentigerous cyst and only one case (7%) was multicalicified focus with islands of odontogenic epithelium, (Figure 2).

Distribution of histopatholgical changes with size of dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars: In the relationship of dental follicle size to dental follicle of the complete impacted 3rd molars, the median size was 2.2 mm with S.D equal to 0.462mm,  and the Mode was 3mm. Twelve (86 %) of histopatholgical changes were in dental follicles size of 0.5mm- < 2.5 mm, and only two cases (14 % ) were in dental follicle size 2.5mm-≤ 3mm and all these differences were significant (p= 0.008) (Table 1).

Figure 2: Types of histopathological changes in dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars.

 

Distribution of histopathological changes in dental follicles with site (Mandible\Maxilla) and side (Right\Left): Of the fifty dental follicles from complete impacted 3rd molars,, thirty are dental follicle  from the mandible (60%) and twenty dental follicles from the maxilla (40%). Nine (65%) were histopathological changes in the lower jaw - five cases were on the right (36%) and four cases were on the left (29%), while the upper jaw was five (35%) - two cases (14%) were on the right. And three cases (21%) were on the left. There were no statistically significant differences for site and side (p> 0.05) (Table 2).

The distribution of histopatholgical changes and angulation (Winter's classification):

Five (36%) of histopathological changes were vertically complete impacted 3rd molars-three cases (21.4%) in mandible and two cases (14.2%) in maxilla. Four (29 %) were mesioangular –three cases (21.4%) in mandible and only one case (7.1%) in maxilla. While horizontal were two cases and buccoangular was only one case (14.2%) and (7.1%), respectively in mandible only. Destioangular were two cases (14.2%) in maxilla (Figure  3).

 

Table 3: The distribution of histopathological changes in dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd  molars with gender.

 

Distribution of histopathological changes of dental follicles with gender: A total of the fifty dental follicles of  the complete impacted 3rd molars were removed, twelve (86%) of  histopathological changes were in female and in  male  were only  two (14 %) , and there was statically significant differences (p= 0.008 ) (Table 3 )  . 

Distribution of histopathological changes in dental follicles with age groups: Of the fifty dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars included in the study with mean age was (23 years old), thirteen  (93%) of  histpathological changes occurred  in age group (21-25 years old)  , then  only one case (7 %) in age group (26–30 years old ). While in other age groups none occurred (Figure 4).

Distribution of histopatholgical changes in the dental follicles with reasons of extractions: Eight cases (57.1 %) were extracted for orthodontic needs, followed by three cases that had anchorage loss (mesial collapse) (21.4%), then two cases (14.3%) had temporomandibular joint (T.M.J) pain, and only one case (7.1%) for prophylactic (Figure  5).

Figure 5: Distribution of histopathological changes in dental follicles with reasons of extractions.

 

DISCUSSION

 

In the present study, the incidence of histopatholgical changes in dental follicles of complete impacted 3rd  molars were fourteen cases (28%) and thirty six cases (72%) were reported  with no histopathological changes and chronic non- specific inflammatory cells. Most the of histopathological changes were ameloblastoma like-lesion (9/14; 64%), four were dentigerous cyst (4/14; 28%), and only one case was multicalcified focus with islands of odontogenic epithelium (1/14; 7%).  The result of our study compared favorably that performed by Shaat14, who found that important pathological lesions were diagnosed in (29%) of cases and (71%) were normal follicles, but in his study (57.7%) showed Dentigerous cyst.  (5%) ameloblastoma and only (0.9%) were odontogenic keratocyst. Yildirm et al.,15 also noted pathology changes (23%) of their study group and the remaining specimens (77%) were diagnosed as normal tissue. Of these pathological specimens 14.1% were dentigerous cysts, 6.6% were Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic cyst (CCOT) and 2.5% were Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC). Also in the study of Haidry  et al.,16 found cystic changes in (24%) of radiologically normal Lower impacted third molars (LITMs) and 76% were Dental Follicle (DF) normal. In further agreement is 

the work by Dongel  et al.,17  who in their study of 113 follicle tissue  found15.9% cystic changes and  84.1% no cystic changes. In a study by Adesperger et al.,18  they found that (34%) of dental follicles exhibited squamous metaplasia indicating cystic changes equivalent to those found in Dentigerous cysts. However; in a study by Vignewaran and Shilpa19 it was shown that (61.4%) were cysts and tumors and (38.6%) cases were normal with chronic inflammatory cells. In this study, twelve (86%) tooth follicles in size (less than 2.5 mm) had histological changes, while in follicle that measured (2.5-3 mm) only two (14%) had HC. Similarly in a study by Tambuwala et al.,20  they noted that the incidence of cystic changes was higher in follicle size between (1-1.5 mm) (33.3% and 66.7%, respectively), and that follicles of 2 mm were had none. Furthermore, Dongol  et al.,17  observed cystic changes were more in follicle size of 0.5mm  (25%) and 20% were in size of 2.5mm, and Adelsperger  et al.,18  had shown that 32% of  cystic changes were in DF size less than 2.5mm. With regard to site (mandible\maxilla) and side (right\left), the results in this study showed dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars were thirty dental follicles from mandible (60%) and twenty from maxilla (40%).Among  this study, thirty one cases (62%) in right-side, and nineteen (38%) in left-side. Nine (65%) of histopathological changes were in mandible – 5(36%) cases in right-side, and four cases in left-side (29%), while in maxilla five cases (35%) – Two cases (14%) in right-side and three cases (21%) in left-side.  Similar in a study done by Seyedmajidi et al.,21 found that cystic changes were observed in (55%) follicles of madndibular 3rd molar, while (28%) from maxilla and the incidence of pathological changes in mandible was 1.957 times more than maxilla. Study showed that the most histopathological changes were in   mandible, that may be lower third molar is the last tooth erupted in oral cavity.With consideration to angulation according to Winter's classification, nineteen cases were (38%) mesioangular, then fourteen cases (28%) vertical, nine (18%) were destioangular, seven (14%) were horizontal, and only one case (2%) was buccoangular. Most of changes in this study were in vertical and mesioangular angulation, five cases (36%) and four cases (29%), respectively. Followed by destioangular and horizontal two cases in each one (14.2%) and only one case (7.1%) was buccoangular. Similar study done by ?im?ek–Kaya et al.,22 showed that vertical and mesioangular inclined molars have greater tendency toward pathological changes. While in a study by Mehrotra  and David23, found mesioangular impacted molars were associated with higher incidence of cystic changes. Tambuwala et al.,20  reported that 20% mesioangular and 16.7% vertical impacted 3rd molars were diagnosed as cystic follicle. The finding in this study which showed most of histopatholgical changes in vertical and mesioangular that may be related to failure of impacted third molars to rotate from mesioangular to vertical position in their cycle due to external or internal factors, in addition vertical and mesioangular positions are most common, but causes are still unknown. With regard to the gender and distribution of histopathological changes. Fifty follicular tissues were obtained, and among them thirty eight females (76%) and twelve (24%) were males. Our result is in agreement with previous studies, Yildirim et al.,15 and Simsek- Kaya et al.,22 who notated that pathological changes were more in female than the male. On the other hand Kotrashetti et al.,24 found that the pathological changes in follicles were more in males as compared to females, (90%) males and (47.6%) females.   The findings of this study, females were more than males were attributed to the size of female jaw. In the current study; of the total  fifty dental follicles of the complete impacted 3rd molars, thirty nine (76%) were within age group (21-25y), then age group (26-30y) and (31-35y) were four (8%) to each one, two cases (4%) in age group (36-40y), and only one (2%) in age group (41-45y). Among them, thirteen (93%) of histopathological changes were in age group (21-25 y). This result is similar to study by Vignesaaran  and Shilpa19  where they found that peak incidence of pathologies occurred between the age group (20-30 yr ) and lowest incidence of pathology (10%) occurred in the oldest age group. With regard to the reasons of extraction, we found twenty one (42%) due to orthodontic treatment, twelve (24%) due to pain in T.M.J., nine (18%) due to anchorage loss (mesial collapse), and eight (16%) for prophylactic.  Among this study histopathological changes were found in eight orthodontic patients  (57.1%), then three cases (21.4%) and two cases (14.3%) in patients who  had anchorage loss (mesial collapse) and T.M.J pain, respectively, and only one case (7.1%) for prophylaxis.  Shaat14, reported that the reasons for removal were orthodontic treatment, pain and destruction of adjacent tooth, while Naves et al.,25, and Palma  et al.,26  identified the most common  reasons to be for orthodontic treatment.  Meanwhile, Dongel et al.,17 in their study the most common cause of extraction of the impacted mandibular third molars was recurrent pericoronitis (84.1%), followed by carious second molar (6.2%) and prophylaxis (3.5%). Whereas Kotrashetti et al.,24 for prophylaxis and orthodontic needs (before treatment, after treatment and during the course of orthodontic treatment). 

 

CONCLUSION

 

In conclusion, a high incidence of HC occurred in patients with DF, and it was associated with smaller dental follicle size, most HC was ameloblastoma, followed by dentigerous cyst, while 72% of samples had normal follicles and non-specific chronic inflammatory cells. There is a correlation between female gender, younger age group, and jaw position with HC. Prophylactic extraction of the asymptomatic impacted third molar should be routinely practiced in Yemen, to reduce the risk of pathological changes, especially in females and younger age groups.

 

AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTION

 

This study was carried out by Shafiqa Mohammed Haidra Masdoose for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery MSc  degree under the supervision of  Assisstant Professor  Dr. Akram Thabet Nasher,   Oral and MAxillofacial Surgery department, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 

The authors would like to acknowledge Sana'a  University, Sana'a, Yemen  which supported this work. 

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST 

  

No conflict of interest associated with this work.

 

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