Pattern of Impaction of Mandibular Third Molar and Its Relation with Caries in Mandibular Second Molar

Objective: To determine caries frequency in mandibular second molars in proportion to level of angulation and depth of impaction of mandibular third molars established on winters and Pell and Gregory classification system. Study Design: This was a Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was regulated in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad from 1 January 2018 to 30th June 2018. Materials and Methods: An overall 100 cases of caries were investigated on clinical and radiographic basis in mandibular second molars. Each panoramic radiograph was studied for the presence of carious lesion in lower second molars. The depth and angulation of impacted third molars was being assessed using Pell and Gregory and winter's grouping respectively. Chi square test was applied for analysis of data. Results: The participants in this study had age range from 18 to 60 years old. Mean age was 39.24 ±9.77 years. Majority of the patients 59 (59.0%) were between the ages 18 and 40. Among these patients, males were 83 (83.0%) and females 17 (17.0%) having a 4.9:1 male-to-female ratio. Caries at the distal aspect of mandibular second molars were seen in 39 percent of individuals with impacted lower third molars and mesioangularly impacted teeth most resulted in caries. Conclusion: This study concluded that 39% of the patients with impacted mandibular third molars caused distal cervical caries in second molars, with mesioangular impaction being the most prominent type causing caries. So, an attentive follow up of impacted mandibular third molars should be considered as health of lower mandibular second molar is influenced by pattern of impaction.