The Relationship Between the Slope of the Mesioangular Lower Third Molars and the Presence of Second Molar Distal Caries: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the degree of mesioangular mandibular third molar teeth and the presence of distal caries in the second molar teeth. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, panoramic radiographs of 617 patients (328 females, 289 males) with impacted teeth in partially erupted mesioangular position were examined. The angle between the mandibular occlusal plane and the occlusal surface of the mandibular third molar was measured. Third molar teeth in mesioangular positions with an angle between 11° and 30° were classified as Group 1, an angle between 31° and 50° as Group 2, and an angle between 51° and 70° as Group 3. For each group, the presence of caries in the distal contact point of adjacent second molar teeth was detected. Results: A total of 816 mandibular third molar teeth in the mesioangular position were analyzed. Of these, 439 (53.8%) were in females and 377 (46.2%) were in males. The prevalence of caries in the distal aspect of the second molar teeth was 34.5% in males and 21.4% in females (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.05). The results showed that a slope of 51° to 70° in mandibular third molar presents a higher risk for caries formation in the distal aspect of second molar teeth. Conclusions: Early prophylactic extraction of impacted mandibular teeth with a slope between 51° and 70° may prevent caries formation in the distal aspect of adjacent second molar teeth.

Do Third Molars Play a Role in Second Molars Undergoing Endodontic Treatment?

“…Altan et al 29 (2018) have reported a significantly higher incidence of distal caries in the presence of a third molar in males than in females. In contrast, AlHobail et al 27 (2019) found that gender did not significantly affect the risk of distal surface caries in second molars because of third molars.…”