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. 2013 Dec;92(12):1095-9.
doi: 10.1177/0022034513509281. Epub 2013 Oct 16.

Retained asymptomatic third molars and risk for second molar pathology

M E Nunn  1 , M D Fish, R I Garcia, E K Kaye, R Figueroa, A Gohel, M Ito, H J Lee, D E Williams, T Miyamoto
Affiliations

Retained asymptomatic third molars and risk for second molar pathology

M E Nunn et al. J Dent Res. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Prophylactic extraction of unerupted asymptomatic third molars is the most common oral surgery procedure in the United States. However, limited evidence exists to justify its costs and associated morbidity. We analyzed data collected over 25 years from 416 adult men enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study to evaluate the association of retained asymptomatic third molars with risk of adjacent second molar pathology (caries and/or periodontitis), based on third molar status (i.e., absent, erupted, or unerupted). Unerupted molars were further categorized as either "soft tissue" or "bony" impacted. We found that the lowest prevalence and incidence of second molar pathology occurred when the adjacent third molar was absent. The presence of a third molar that was soft tissue impacted increased the risk of incident second molar pathology 4.88-fold (95% confidence interval: 2.62, 9.08). Having an erupted or "bony" impacted third molar increased the risk of incident second molar pathology by 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.34, 2.25) and 2.16 (95% confidence interval: 1.56, 2.99), respectively. The retention of third molars is associated with increased risk of second molar pathology in middle-aged and older adult men.

Keywords: alveolar bone loss; caries; cohort study; longitudinal study; periodontal disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Survival plot for any incident pathology on distal of second molar by status of adjacent third molar
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References

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