Prevalence of periodontitis and caries on the distal aspect of mandibular second molar adjacent to impacted mandibular third molar: A guide for oral health promotion

OBJECTIVES: Pericoronitis of mandibular third molars is commonly encountered in our day to day practice. Most of the case extraction becomes mandatory. This study was carried out to find the incidence of periodontitis on the distal aspect of the second molar adjacent to impacted third molar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 patients were included in the study. Patient selection was randomly done. Whoever came with a chief complaint of pain in the third molar area were included in the study. They were evaluated both clinically and radiographically with an orthopantomogram. Patients' age, gender, type of impaction, presence or absence of bone loss, type of bone loss, and presence or absence of caries was evaluated radiographically and noted. RESULTS: Periodontitis was observed in 39% of the cases and caries in 26% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: These percentages are alarming and could be used to prophylactically extract the impacted third molars and thereby promoting the oral health of the individual.