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. 2023 Dec 19;13(1):20.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13010020.

Relationship between the Status of Third Molars and the Occurrence of Dental and Periodontal Lesions in Adjacent Second Molars in the Polish Population: A Radiological Retrospective Observational Study

Daniel Poszytek  1 , Bartłomiej Górski  1
Affiliations

Relationship between the Status of Third Molars and the Occurrence of Dental and Periodontal Lesions in Adjacent Second Molars in the Polish Population: A Radiological Retrospective Observational Study

Daniel Poszytek et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of third molars on caries, external root resorption, and alveolar bone loss on the distal surface of adjacent second molars. A total of 2488 panoramic radiographs of adult Poles were evaluated. Third molars were classified, according to eruption status, into non-impacted, partially, or completely impacted, and according to angulation into horizontal, mesioangular, vertical, and distoangular. Completely impacted third molars were assigned as reference group. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for the occurrence of the above-mentioned pathologies were 1.39 (1.09-2.21), 6.51 (3.72-10.11), and 2.42 (1.22-4.09), respectively, for second molars with adjacent erupted third molars and 1.54 (1.11-2.82), 10.65 (7.81-20.19), and 5.21 (3.38-10.81), respectively, when partially impacted third molars were next to second molars. The ORs of lesions were significantly higher for horizontally and mesioangularly impacted third molars. Within the limitation of a radiological study, it might be concluded that the presence of erupted third molars is a risk factor for caries, while the presence of impacted third molars increases the risk of root resorption and bone loss on the distal surface of second molars.

Keywords: alveolar bone loss; dental caries; molar; root resorption; third; tooth; unerupted.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the qualification of dental quadrants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Third molars depending on the eruption status: (a) non-impacted (erupted) M3, (b) partially impacted M3, and (c) completely impacted M3.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Third molar angulation: (a) horizontal, (b) mesioangular, (c) vertical, and (d) distoangular.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Radiologic view of pathologies in second molars and adjacent tissues: (a) caries on the distal surface of M2s, (b) external root resorption of the distal root of M2s, (c) bone loss on the distal aspect of M2s.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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