Pathological Changes and Immunoexpression of p63 Gene in Dental Follicles of Asymptomatic Impacted Lower Third Molars: An Immunohistochemical Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the pathologic changes and immunoexpressivity of p63 gene in dental follicles (DFs) of asymptomatic partially and completely impacted lower third molars. Study Design: Clinical and radiologic examinations included 50 DFs with no signs of abnormal radiolucency (follicular space <2.5 mm), taken from 50 patients. Results: Histopathologic examinations of the specimens revealed 47 normal dental follicular tissues, 1 ameloblastoma, and 2 dentigerous cysts. p63 Immunoexpressivity was stronger in the DFs of the group with completely impacted teeth (64%), than it was in the case of DFs of the group with partially impacted teeth (40%). Conclusions: Stronger p63 gene immunoexpression in the group with completely impacted teeth might be a consequence of bigger number of stem cells than it is in the case of the group with partially impacted teeth. This study also supports prophylactic removal of impacted teeth because of the development of pathologies associated with them.