Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Amat Al-Salam Al-Makhethi in Orthodontics

Ms. Amat Al-Salam Ahmed Abdulrahman Al-Makhethi‎ was awarded a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics her thesis titled: Relationship between Retromolar Space and Mandibidar Third Molar in Different Anteroposterior Skeletal Patterns, which was submitted to the Faculty of Dentistry – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
# Committee Members Designation Position
1 Prof. Yasser Ali Ahmed Thabet ‎ External Examiner Chair
2 Assoc. Prof. Naela Mohammed Ali Al-Mujahid ‎ Main Supervisor Member
3 Assoc. Prof. Fouad Lotf Ahmed Al-Muttarib ‎ Internal Examiner Member
The thesis addressed mandibular third molars, which are among the teeth most prone to impaction. Their eruption is influenced by the retromolar space and the skeletal pattern of the mandible. Understanding this relationship is particularly important for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning, especially given limited studies related to Yemeni population in this field.
The thesis aimed to:
• Evaluate the relationship between retromolar space and the eruption status of ‎mandibular third molars across different anteroposterior skeletal patterns in a ‎sample of Yemeni population.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs of Yemeni patients aged 18 years and older. The sample was divided into three skeletal classes according to the ANB angle. Several variables related to molar position and angulation were measured, and the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 25.
The study yielded several key findings summarized as follows:
• Skeletal Class II showed the lowest mean retromolar space, the highest mean third ‎molar angulation, and the highest impaction rate (64%).‎
• Statistically significant negative correlations were found between retromolar space ‎and several skeletal angles.‎
• Gender differences were limited and less clinically significant.‎
The study concluded that insufficient retromolar space is a major factor in mandibular third molar impaction across different skeletal patterns, with a notably higher impaction rate among Skeletal Class II patients. Gender differences were limited compared to skeletal influences.
The defense session was attended by academics, researchers, students, interested individuals, colleagues, and the researcher’s family.