title: Distal cervical caries in the mandibular second molar: an indication for the prophylactic removal of third molar teeth? Update.
abstract: In 2005 we reported the clinical findings of 100 patients who had mandibular third molars removed because of distal cervical caries in the mandibular second molar. The aim of this follow-up study was to find out whether the findings in a new group of patients corroborate those of our previous study. We report on the clinical features of 239 patients (mean (SD) age 32.1 (7.85) years, range 20-65) who had 288 mandibular third molars removed because of distal cervical caries in the second molar. Patients had better dental health than average, and 67% had a DMF (decayed, missing, or filled) score of 5 or less. In 89% of third molars the mesial angulation was between 40° and 80°. Distal cervical caries in second molars is a late complication of third molar retention. The prophylactic removal of a partially erupted mesioangular third molar will prevent distal cervical caries forming in the second molar tooth.
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, KCL Dental Institute, Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: louis.mcardle@kcl.ac.uk.
authors: Louis W
authors: LW
authors: McArdle
authors: Department of Orthodontics, KCL Dental Institute, Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
authors: Fraser
authors: F
authors: McDonald
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, QMUL Dental Institute, The Royal London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000473:pathology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Distal cervical caries; Indications; Third molar