Association Between the Presence of Impacted Third Molars and Existence of Caries in the Distal Surface of Second Molars: A Radiographic Analysis
Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency and association of existence of the distal surface caries (DSC) in second molars adjacent to retained impacted third molars
Methodology: This retrospective cohort radiographic study was performed at Fatima Jinnah Dental College & Hospital Trust. Patients of > 25 years of age, having Ortho-pantomogram (OPG) x-ray, satisfying the inclusion criteria were included in this study, Convenient sampling technique was used and informed consent was obtained after ethical committee approval. Radiographs (OPG) were assessed to diagnose DSC in second molars adjacent to ITMs. Kappa test was used with SD +/- 1. Data were analysed to calculate frequency and percentages of age, gender, and angulations of ITMs and DSC in second molars were calculated. Cross tabulation with t-test was performed to find out the relationship of frequency of ITMs and their angulations associated with DSC in second molars.
Results: Total of 92 of 621 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 41 (26.83%) were males, 51 (15.69%) females with mean age of 46 +/- 5 years SD. Our findings showed that out of 140 ITMs, 23 (16.42 %) second molars had DSC adjacent to mandibular ITMs. Fourteen (60.86%) teeth were associated with right impacted mandibular third molars, 9(39.13%) with left mandibular ITMs.
Conclusion: The most common teeth associated with DSC of second molars were mesio-angular right mandibular ITMs. Active surveillance and monitoring of ITMs is highly recommended for early diagnosis and management of second molars associated disease. Most of the studies which were performed to find out the frequency of ITMs associated pathologies were retrospective studies. Therefore, prospective studies should be performed to determine the fate of retained third molars in an adult population.
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