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Title: Distal cervical caries in the mandibular second molar: an indication for the prophylactic removal of the third molar? Author: McArdle LW, Renton TF. Journal: Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg; 2006 Feb; 44(1):42-5. PubMed ID: 16213635. Abstract: AIMS: Distal cervical caries (DCC) in mandibular second molar teeth are responsible for the removal of up to 5% of all mandibular third molars. Our aim was to identify the clinical features of these patients. METHODS: We evaluated the records of 100 patients who had 122 mandibular third molars removed because of distal cervical caries in the second molar. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of third molars had a mesial angulation of between 40 degrees and 80 degrees. The peak age for removal of third molars was 5 years later than in other studies and patients had better dental health than average. The incidence of distal cervical caries DCC has been shown to increase with age. CONCLUSION: Distal cervical caries is a late phenomenon and has been reported only in association with impacted third molars. The early or prophylactic removal of a partially erupted mesio-angular third molar could prevent distal cervical caries forming in the mandibular second molar.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]