Effect of asymptomatic erupted third molars on periodontal status and caries of adjacent second molars in Iranian population

Introduction: Third molars are the last teeth to grow and require more attention in the oral cavity because they can leave pathological effects. Considering the controversy clinical decisions about asymptomatic third molars, dentistschr('39') lack of attention to over third molars developed during therapeutic recommendations for patients, and limited evidence about the effects of asymptomatic third molars on adjacent teeth, the purpose of this study was an assessment of the effect of asymptomatic erupted third molar on periodontal status and a distal caries of the adjacent second molar. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the distal caries of second molars as examined using panoramic radiography, clinical examination and periodontal parameters including plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss in 134 jaw quadrants patients. The patients were divided into two groups of asymptomatic erupted third molars and without erupted third molars. The independent samples t-test was used to compare periodontal parameters between the two groups while chi-square test was used to compare the frequency of caries. Results: In periodontal parameters evaluation in mandible, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss in third molar group were higher than in without third molar group, whereas in maxilla all periodontal parameters in third molar group were higher than without third molar group. In the caries evaluation, both maxillary and mandibular distal caries of the second molar were significantly higher in the third molar group than in the without third molar group. Conclusion: Erupted third molars increase the risk of periodontal disease and distal caries in the adjacent second molars, and dentists should be particularly attentive to the third molars in examination sessions.