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Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression in Pericoronal Tissues of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars

Background: Although removal of impacted third molars is the most common oral surgical procedure, many investigators have questioned the necessity of removal for patients who are free of symptoms. Aim: The study was performed for immunohistochemical evaluation (using MMP-2) of pericoronal tissue of asymptomatic impacted lower third molar teeth that did not exhibit pathologic pericoronal radiolucency (radiolucency was <2.5 mm) and to clarify the role of MMP-2 expression for differentiation between healthy follicle and dentigerous cyst. Method: The sample consisted of 23 dental follicels associated with impacted lower third molars without obvious clinical and radiographical signs of pathosis and with a pericoronal space of <2.5 mm. The expression of MMP-2 were evaluated in epithelia and connective tissue of these follicles and in 14 dentigerous cyst. Results: For the dental follicles, the sample consisted of 23 dental follicles, there was highly signifi cant difference between the expression of MMP-2 in the epithelia and connective tissue (P = 0.000), with signifi cantly higher expression in connective tissue (P = 0.000). For the dentigerous cyst, the sample consisted of 14 dentigerous cyst, There was a signifi cant difference between the expression of MMP-2 in epithelia and connective tissue of dentigerous cyst (P = 0.004), with signifi cantly higher expression in connective tissue (P = 0.019). There were no signifi cant difference between dental follicles and dentigerous cyst considering the scores of MMP-2 in epithelia and connective tissue. Conclusion: The expression of MMP-2 was similar in both dentigerous cyst and dental follicle. This means that dental follicle have the ability to change into cyst if left without removal. So according to the result of our study; prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted lower third molar should be considered before cystic changes can occur.