The development of the third lower molar in adolescents receiving orthodontic treatment is a concern of orthodontists and the parents of patients. Several factors may affect the eruption of the third lower molar, including retro-molar space, sagittal inclination of the third molar, extraction of second molars and premolars, vertical and antero-posterior skeletal patterns, calcification stage of the third molar, inclination of adjacent molars, width of the third molar, and gender. This article reviews some of the recent studies to provide the basis for predicting the eruption of the third molar in adolescents receiving orthodontic treatment.
