MOLAR CARIES;

DISTAL SURFACE MANDIBULAR SECOND MOLAR CARIES, EXISTENCE AND ASSOCIATION WITH PARTIALLY ERUPTED MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify risk factor of distal surface caries on mandibular second
molar associated with partially erupted mandibular third molar. Setting: The study was
conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Liaquat University Hospital
Jamshoro/Hyderabad from April 2013 to September2013. Methodology: Total 273 patients
of either gender with age 16-45 years had partially impacted mandibular third molar, were
included. Diagnosis was made on clinical as well as periapical view and OPG examination.
Distance from CEJ of mesial surface of third molar to CEJ of distal surface of second molar
was measured in millimeters. Results: Results about association of caries with other variables
showed that significant association of caries was observed with gender, winter classification,
Pell Gregory (ramus), and angulation with p<0.01. The association of caries was also observed
with age and third molar site with p<0.05. The association was not significant with Pell Gregory
(occlusal) and distance with p> 0.05. Conclusion: It was concluded with the results of this
study that there was an increased risk of developing dental caries in 2nd molar tooth at distal
surface with risk factor being partially erupted mandibular 3rd molar, mesioangular, class I, level
A, and angulation of more than 30 degrees.