RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of dentigerous cystic changes in the follicles of radiographically normal impacted mandibular third molars. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen follicles obtained after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars with radiolucency of less than 2.5 mm in the radiograph were sent for histopathologic evaluation to evaluate pathologic changes. RESULTS: The incidence of dentigerous cystic changes observed was 15.9%, that is, 18 out of 113 patients (51 males and 62 females), with the maximum incidence of cystic changes seen in the follicular space size of 0.5 mm. The mean age of the patients included was 27.8 ± 8.1. The most common indication for extraction among the patients in this study was recurrent pericoronitis (95%). There were no statistically significant differences in occurrence of cystic changes based on age, gender, angulation, relation to ramus, depth, side of impaction, and follicle size (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dental follicles obtained from surgically removed impacted mandibular third molars should be submitted for histopathologic examination irrespective of the radiographic size of the follicle.