The study was aimed to provide a simple profile of the third molar, which represents the highest risk for the origin of pericoronitis. The authors present the results of their own clinical investigation performed in patients who attended the Ward of Oral, Jaw and Face Surgery of the First Stomatological Clinic, Medical Faculty, University of PJ Safarik and Faculty Hospital in Kosice, who suffered from problems in difficult cutting of the wisdom tooth. The third molars, totally covered with mucosa, with mesioangular inclination and in arbitrary height of eruption, represented the largest group, formed 29.9% of all impacts, but contributed to the cases of pericoronitis in 12.1% only. The third molars, partly covered with mucosa, with vertical orientation, in arbitrary hight of the eruption, formed 5.2% of impacts, but contributed to pericoronitis in up to 46.78% of all cases. The planned prophylactic extraction of vertically positioned lower third molars, partly covered with mucosa, is not a frequently indicated method here. Based on our clinical experience and the results of evaluating of cohort it is possible to state that this kind of extraction is justified.

        Key words: third molar - pericoronitis - prophylactic extraction