The impact of Anatomic Features of Asymptomatic Third Molars on the Pathologies of Adjacent Second Molars: A Cross-sectional Analysis

• Main Authors: Yang Yang (Author), Yi Tian (Author), Li-Juan Sun (Author), Hong-Lei Qu (Author), Zhi-Bang Li (Author), Bei-Min Tian (Author), Fa-Ming Chen (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

ABSTRACT: Background: We aimed to comprehensively examine how the anatomic characteristics of asymptomatic third molars (As-M3s) affect distal pathologies of adjacent second molars (Ad-M2s). Materials and methods: Patients with at least 1 quadrant having intact As-M3s and first and second molars were enrolled. Distal pathologies of Ad-M2s, including caries, pocket depth of 4 mm or more (PD4+), and alveolar bone loss of 3 mm or more (ABL3+), were analysed based on As-M3 status (absent/impacted/nonimpacted). Especially within nonimpacted M3s (N-M3s), the effects of regions (maxillary vs mandibular) and dental intervals (narrow vs wide) on Ad-M2 pathologies were further compared. Results: A total of 248 patients with their 805 quadrants were finally included in this cross-sectional study. The impacted and nonimpacted As-M3s elevated the risk of any distal pathology (caries, PD4+, or ABL3+) of Ad-M2s vs M3 absence with odds ratios (ORs) of 8.33 and 3.27, respectively. Within N-M3s, mandibular regions increased the odds of PD4+ (OR, 1.96); wide dental intervals increased the odds of ABL3+ (OR, 3.01). However, maxillary regions and narrow dental intervals contributed to more severe bone loss in Ad-M2s with ABL3+. Conclusions: The presence of As-M3 is a risk factor for Ad-M2 pathologies irrespective of impaction status. Within N-M3s, Ad-M2 pathologies are significantly influenced by anatomic characteristics such as regions and dental intervals.

Item Description

0020-6539
10.1016/j.identj.2022.09.001