Prevalence of Periodontal Disease and Caries Associated with Erupted Third Mandibular Molar

Abstract

Aim: To assess the prevalence of periodontal disease and caries on 2^nd mandibular molar in association with erupted 3^rd molars.

Methodology:: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Periodontology Department, Avicenna dental college, Lahore from July 2021 to June 2022. A total of 81 patients were examined in the age range of 21-50 years. Patients of both genders were assessed. Data was entered and analysed by IBM SPSS 25. Level of significance was kept at p-value ≤ 0.05

Results: Total of 81 patients were examined with the total number of teeth evaluated were 156. Age taken as demographic variable was further divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of patients between the age range of 21-30 years n=18 (22.22%). Group 2 have patients between the age range of 31-40 years n=43 (53.09%) and Group 3 consisted of  age range of 41-50 years patients n=20 (24.69%).Highest prevalence of distal caries was related to level A (68.33%) and periodontal disease was prevalent in level C followed by level B molars

Conclusion: Regardless of eruption status, 3^rd molar is associated with occurrence of periodontal disease and caries on 2^nd mandibular molars. Ergo, regular clinical evaluations and monitoring are required even in apparently symptom free 3^rd mandibular molars, as their existence is analogous to Distal Surface Caries (DSC) and PPD≥5mm development in mandibular 2^nd molars. Else, to improve the long term survival of 2^nd mandibular molars, prophylactic extraction of 3^rd mandibular molars can be considered as a treatment option.

Keywords: Eruption status, distal surface caries, periodontal disease.