title: Association between the presence of a partially erupted mandibular third molar and the existence of caries in the distal of the second molars.
abstract: The objective of this study was to verify, using periapical radiographs, whether a partially erupted mandibular third molar is a factor in the presence of dental caries on the distal surface of the adjacent second molar. Two-forty six high quality periapical radiographs were selected, each showing a partially erupted mandibular third molar. The variables analyzed were: tooth number; gender; age; radiographic presence of caries on the distal surface of the adjacent molar; Pell and Gregory classification; Winter classification; angulation and distance between the second and mandibular third molar. The examiners were previously calibrated to collect data (kappa statistics from 0.87 to 1.0). The prevalence rate of caries on the distal surface of the second molar was 13.4%. In the logistical multivariate regression analysis, the angulation (OR=8.5; IC95%: 1.7-43.8; p=0.011) and the gender (OR=3.3; IC95%: 1.4-7.7; p=0.005) remained statistically significant after an age adjustment was made. The results indicate that the presence of a partially erupted mandibular third molar with an angulation of 31 degrees or more, is a risk factor for caries on the distal surface of the mandibular second molars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dentistry School, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Diamantina, MG, Brazil. saulofalci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S G M
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Falci
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: de Souza Lima
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ramos-Jorge
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Botelho
authors.forename: C R R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult