BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the influence of the presence of the third molars on the thickness and height of the buccal cortical bone of the first and second mandibular molars.Material and MethodsThe retrospective cross-sectional observational sample consisted of 102 CBCTs of patients (mean age of 29 years), divided into two groups: G1: 51 patients (26 female; 25 male, mean age of 26 years) presenting the mandibular third molars and G2: 51 patients (26 female; 25 male, mean age of 32 years) with the absence of the mandibular third molars. The total and the cortical depth were evaluated at 4 and 6mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The total thickness of the buccal bone was evaluated in two horizontal reference lines located apically 6 mm and 11 mm from the CEJ. Statistical comparisons were performed with Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests.ResultsIn the comparison of buccal bone thickness and height between the groups, there was a statistical difference in tooth 36. In tooth 37 there was a statistical difference in the mesial root. For tooth 47, there was a statistical difference for the total thickness at 6mm, 11mm and 4mm. Concerning age, there was a tendency to decrease the values of these variables with increasing age.ConclusionsThe mean values for buccal bone thickness, total and cortical depth of the mandibular molars were higher for patients with mandibular third molars because the buccal bone thickness of the mandibular molars increased in the posterior and apical direction.Key words:Molar tooth, jaw, bone, orthodontic anchorage procedures, cone-beam computed tomography.