Objective: To analyze the factors related to distal proximal caries of the mandibular second molar (MSM) induced by an impacted mandibular third molar (MTM).
Methods: A total 500 panoramic radiographs of patients with impacted MTMs who were treated in the Department of Stomatology of the Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University between October 2017 and October 2019 were selected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted, and the diagnosis of caries in the MSM and the position of the MTM were evaluated.
Results: The posterior margin space of the MSM was larger in males (13.5 mm) than females (11.1 mm, P < 0.001) and correlated with the MTM’s impacted depth and eruption degree (P < 0.001). The prevalence of distal proximal caries of the MSM was 37.6%, and a χ ² test showed that age, impacted depth, impacted direction, impacted angle, degree of occurrence, and CEJ distance were correlated with caries in the distal adjacent surface of the MSM (P < 0.001). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the impacted depth was at position A or B, the impacted direction was mesioangular, and the impacted angle was < 80°. Distal adjacent caries of MSMs were prone to occur when entirely or partially emergent. CEJ distance was not an independent factor for caries. The severity of caries in an MSM’s distal adjacent surface had statistical significance on the impacted depth and impacted angle (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The posterior margin space of the MSM influences the impacted condition of the MTM. Preventive extraction can be considered if the impacted angle is < 80°, especially in the case of a fully or partially emergent MTM at position A or B and mesioangular impacted areas.
Keywords: mandibular third molar, dental caries, mandibular second molar, related factors