Relationship between anterior crowding and third molars

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The relationship between third molars and the development or recurrence of malocclusion and dental crowding after orthodontic treatment, especially in the anterior segment of the dental arch, is a subject that has been discussed and presented in the literature, which still remains unsolved. Methods: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic health reviews, which combines searches in multiple sources of information, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted the data from the identified reviews, reanalyzed them from the primary studies and prepared summary tables of the results using the GRADE method. Results: We identified 7 systematic reviews that together included 31 primary studies, 2 of which were randomized trials. Conclusion: The limited development of studies that relate third molars to dental crowding and their low level of evidence does not allow us to be certain about the possible association. New studies are necessary.