Anatomical Features of Extracted Maxillary Third Molars in the Male Population

Background. The anatomical structure of third molars, particularly upper wisdom teeth, is highly variable and influenced by genetic, ethnic, and environmental factors. Understanding these variations is critical for clinical disciplines such as oral surgery, prosthodontics, and orthodontics, where third molars often present challenges due to their unpredictable morphology and eruption patterns. Despite global research on third molar anatomy, region-specific data remain limited, especially in populations such as Azerbaijan. Given the unique genetic and anthropological background of the Azerbaijani population, this study provides valuable baseline data on the morphological characteristics of upper third molars. The findings not only contribute to the regional dental literature but also support more accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical intervention in dental practice within the local population. Objective: This study investigates the anatomical characteristics of the crowns and roots of extracted maxillary third molars (upper wisdom teeth) in the Azerbaijani male population. Methods: A total of 183 upper third molars extracted from male patients at the Dental Clinic of Azerbaijan Medical University were analyzed. Each tooth underwent visual and morphometric examination to determine the number of cusps, crown shape from the occlusal perspective, presence of unilateral or bilateral extraction, malposition, and anatomical symmetry in bilaterally extracted teeth. Results: The most prevalent cusp pattern was the four-cusp configuration, observed in 48.63% ± 3.69 of the samples. Triangular-shaped crowns were the most common occlusal form, accounting for 43.17% ± 3.66 of the teeth. Of the total, 164 teeth belonged to 82 patients with bilateral extractions, with nearly equal distribution between the left (49.18% ± 3.70) and right (50.82% ± 3.70) sides. Anatomical symmetry between right and left third molars was identified in 65.85% ± 3.51 of these paired cases. Conclusion: Upper third molars in Azerbaijani males exhibit substantial morphological variation, consistent with global trends. The triangular crown shape with four cusps was the most common configuration, and while bilateral anatomical symmetry was frequently observed, it was not universal.