Prevalence of Distal Caries of Second Molars Due to Impacted Mandibular Third Molars

BACKGROUND Most commonly occurring impacted teeth encountered in dental surgery are mandibular 3rd molars. Reasons of impactions may be due to evolution and modern dietary habits, lack of space, decreased skeletal growth, and disproportionate crown size. Impacted tooth may cause various complications, if left untreated distal caries is commonly seen in mandibular 2nd molars. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of distal caries of mandibular 2nd molars due to impacted mandibular 3rd molars. Symptoms like distal caries of 2rd molars is one of the major factors affecting the oral health next to periodontal disease and periodontal abscess. METHODS The study included 103 patients, reported to the dental department of Tripura Medical College and BRAM &Teaching Hospital, Agartala. The study was done from July 2019 – December 2019, age ranged from 18 to 50 years. Panoramic radiographic examinations were carried out in each patient. Angulations of impaction and incidence of caries of the adjacent mandibular 2nd molars were recorded. All data were collected and analysed using percentage analysis. RESULTS 103 patients panoramic radiographs were studied, out of 103, 63 (61 %) were male, 40 (39 %) were female. 31 patients (30.1 %) out of 103 patients were found to have distal caries of mandibular 2nd molars adjacent to mandibular 3nd molars. 85 % of caries was associated with mesioangular impaction. CONCLUSIONS Careful monitoring to detect the caries lesions in early stage is necessary, as the distal caries on the mandibular 2nd molars was found to be high. Subsequently proper measures should be taken for restoration of mandibular 2nd molars and removal of impacted mandibular 3rd molars, if necessary. KEYWORDS Distal Surface Caries, Mandibular 2nd Molars, Impacted Mandibular 3rd Molars, Angulation