Correlation study between distal caries in the mandibular second molar and the eruption status of the mandibular third molar in the Korean population.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation parameters between the distal caries of the mandibular second molars (M2Ms) and the eruption status of the mandibular third molars (M3Ms).


METHODS
The records of 786 patients who had their M3Ms extracted from 2002 to 2007 at Samsung Medical Center were reviewed. The distal caries of M2Ms, age, gender, angulations, impaction degree, and distance between M2M and M3M were assessed.


RESULTS
Among 883 M2Ms, 152 had distal caries (17.2%, caries group). In the caries group, 79.6% of M3Ms exhibited mesial angulation between 40 degrees and 80 degrees and 82.2% of M3Ms exhibited an impaction level in which the most coronal aspect of the M3M was located superior to the occlusal surface of the M2M. The distance between M2M and M3M (between cemontoenamel junctions) was 7-9 mm for 57.2% of the caries group.


CONCLUSIONS
The M3Ms under eruption status as described here could be considered for preventive extraction.
Department of Conservative Dentistry, Institute of Oral Health Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seok Woo
SW
Chang
Seung Yun
SY
Shin
Kee Yeon
KY
Kum
Jongrak
J
Hong
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011859:Radiography; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D055815:Young Adult