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Introduction Impacted mandibular third molars can be asymptomatic or cause some pathologies, such as distal caries and odontogenic cysts and tumours. This study investigates the prevalence of distal caries of the mandibular second molar adjacent to the mesioangular or horizontally partially erupted mandibular third molar and its relationship regarding decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) risk group, age, side (left-right) and sex.Methods The study included patients who had an appointment for mesioangular or horizontally positioned and partially erupted mandibular third molar surgery. Before the surgery, the DMFT score, age, sex and side were recorded. After extraction, the second molar was clinically examined for distal caries. The prevalence of distal caries and the correlation between the DMFT risk group, age, sex and side were determined.Results The study was conducted on 514 patients and involved 639 teeth. Men and patients in the moderate- or high-risk group are significantly prone to developing distal caries of the second molar. No statistically significant relationship exists regarding age group, side and position.Conclusion Sex and DMFT risk groups affect the prevalence of distal caries in second molars adjacent to the mesioangular or horizontally partially erupted third molars. The prophylactic extraction should be considered in men and patients in the moderate- or high-risk group., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

Background: The United Kingdom and its national healthcare system represent a unique comparison for many other developed countries (such as Australia and France), as the practice of prophylactic removal of third molars in the United Kingdom has been discouraged for nearly two decades, with clear guidelines issued by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2000 to limit third molar removal to only pathological situations. No such guidelines exist in Australia or France. The healthcare systems in England, France and Australia all use the International Classification of Disease (ICD) coding system for diagnostic categorising of all admissions to hospitals., Aim: This study rested upon the opportunity of a universal coding system and semi-open access data to complete the first comparative study on an international scale of hospitalisations for removal of impacted teeth (between 99/00 and 08/09)., Results: Our international comparison revealed significant differences in rates of admission, with England having rates approximately five times less than France, and seven times less than Australia. Those results could be explained by the implementation of guidelines in the United Kingdom, and the absence of similar guidelines in France and Australia.

Background: The United Kingdom and its national healthcare system represent a unique comparison for many other developed countries (such as Australia and France), as the practice of prophylactic removal of third molars in the United Kingdom has been discouraged for nearly two decades, with clear guidelines issued by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2000 to limit third molar removal to only pathological situations. No such guidelines exist in Australia or France. The healthcare systems in England, France and Australia all use the International Classification of Disease (ICD) coding system for diagnostic categorising of all admissions to hospitals., Aim: This study rested upon the opportunity of a universal coding system and semi-open access data to complete the first comparative study on an international scale of hospitalisations for removal of impacted teeth (between 99/00 and 08/09)., Results: Our international comparison revealed significant differences in rates of admission, with England having rates approximately five times less than France, and seven times less than Australia. Those results could be explained by the implementation of guidelines in the United Kingdom, and the absence of similar guidelines in France and Australia.

Introduction: The minimisation of disease and non-battle injury (DNBI) is essential for maintaining efficiency in a fighting force. Third molar-related morbidity is a common cause of DNBI. With extended lines of communication in current military deployments, travelling for dental care is often subject to significant danger., Material and Methods: Military dental officers in Afghanistan and Iraq recorded data on patients presenting with third molar pathology. Related previous history was obtained from the individual and from the military dental records., Results: Three hundred and three individuals presented during the 23 month study period; 27.7% were unable to access care immediately, most commonly citing work pressure or lack of safe transport. Of those needing to travel, 70% were moved by helicopter. Pericoronitis was diagnosed in 84.4% of cases, 20.6% of these teeth being extracted; 53.5% of patients reported no prior symptoms, 22.7% with two or more episodes. There was documented evidence in military dental records of previous problems in 29.2% of cases. 11.3% had previously been listed for extraction of the presenting tooth., Discussion: Dental treatment for troops in combat situations is fraught with difficulty. Special consideration must be given to the management of third molars in military personnel.

The aim of this study was to characterise the intra and extra-oral phenotype associated with agenesis of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor. We compared three groups: (1) subjects with agenesis of one or both permanent maxillary lateral incisors (n=80); (2) first and second degree relatives of group 1 with no agenesis of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor and (3) subjects with no agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisor or family history of it (n=49). For each of the 201 subjects detailed clinical information was reviewed and panoramic radiographs were analysed. Considering only the sample with unilateral agenesis, microdontia of the contralateral permanent maxillary lateral incisor was significantly more frequent in group 1 (82.4%) than in group 2 (25%) and the control group (2%). This supports the theory that microdontia is a variable expression of the same developmental disturbance that causes tooth agenesis. The absence of third molars occurred more often in group 1 (36.2%) than in groups 2 and 3 (18.6% and 18.9% respectively), confirming that agenesis of third molars was markedly associated with the agenesis of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor. Agenesis of teeth other than third molars was not significantly different among subjects with agenesis of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor and their relatives. The frequencies of supernumerary teeth, permanent maxillary canine impaction, general health condition and minor anomalies were not significantly different between the three groups.

Objective: To examine the periapical status, technical standard and frequency of root canal treatment in an adult population in Scotland., Design: Examination of full-mouth periapical radiographs from 340 consecutive adult patients (8420 teeth) attending Glasgow and Dundee Dental Hospitals for clinical examination., Methods: Position and quality of the root fillings were assessed together with signs of periradicular radiolucencies. The influence of the type of coronal restoration was also assessed., Main Outcome Measures: Pathologies associated with impacted third molars and outcomes following surgical removal of third molars., Results: 54% of the patient sample had root filled teeth. 5.6% of the teeth examined radiographically had root fillings, and of these, 58.1% had radiographic signs of periapical disease. 41% of the patients had at least one non-root canal treated tooth with periapical disease. 77% of teeth with post-retained crowns had evidence of periapical pathology., Conclusions: Root fillings judged to be adequate radiographically had a reduced incidence of radiolucencies. Teeth obturated beyond the apex had more radiolucencies than those obturated flush with or within 2 mm of the radiographic apex. A high proportion of post-retained crowns were associated with periapical pathology. There is a substantial future need both for root canal treatment and for standardised treatment methods.