Risk Factors For Caries Research Articles

Common risk factors for dental caries and impaired glucose regulation in Guangxi, China.

To assess the prevalence of caries and impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and try to investigate their common risk factors among adult residents in Guangxi province. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2993 adults from five different areas of Guangxi province. The sociodemographic data, history of personal habits such as diet and physical activities, physical measurements, oral examination results and biochemical laboratory test data were collected to establish a database and prepare a sound research model. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to analyse the risk factors for dental caries and IGR. The prevalence rate for caries was 85.9%, and the mean DMFT score was 7.35. In multiple logistic regression, after adjustment, education level, occupation, daily consumption of vegetables, weekly consumption of carbonated beverages and weekly exercise were associated with caries (odds ratio [OR]: 2.10, OR: 1.80, OR: 1.40, OR: 2.45, OR: 2.38). The prevalence of IGR was 33.5%, and after adjustment, results showed that occupation, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-C levels and low-density lipoprotein-C levels were significantly associated with IGR (OR: 0.80, OR: 1.70, OR: 1.56, OR: 1.88, OR: 1.60, OR: 1.43, OR: 1.48). The strength of association between caries/IGR and risk factors was a weak association or moderate association. We have not found common risk factors between dental caries and IGR. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore these common risk factors to prevent caries and IGR.

The Risk Factors and Interventions of Dental Caries in the Elderly: A Narrative Review

As the human lifespan increases, older adults are known to retain their teeth for longer. Dental clinicians will see an increase in the number of elderly patients as the population’s life expectancy rises. The loss of periodontal attachment is a common risk factor for root surface caries development in older adults. Other risk factors include an increase in the number of missing teeth and restorations, prosthesis wearing, reduced manual dexterity, a shift in diet from complex to simple sugars, salivary gland dysfunction and increased salivary glucose levels. Dental caries is one of the causes leading to tooth loss in older adults and tooth loss significantly impacts the oral health-related quality of life for this vulnerable age group. Furthermore, the treatment of root caries is complicated by the adhesion of restorative materials to dentin and cemental layer. To curb these issues, understanding the risk factors for dental caries in the elderly, as well as its prevention and treatment strategies, is therefore crucial. This narrative review aims to provide an understanding of dental caries in older adults and an evidence-based prevention and management of this dental disease.

Electronic Cigarettes, Heated Tobacco Products, and Oral Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Smokers employing electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTP) are currently the most common types of smoking patients seen in the dental practice. Both types of smoking are currently viewed as less harmful than cigarette smoking. However, many studies already indicate that they could harm oral health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to collect a comprehensive overview of the actual knowledge regarding ENDS and HTP from a clinical and a laboratory perspective. Publications available through PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to summarize the effects of ENDS and HTP on oral health. Six surveys on self-perceived gum disease (T2 = 9.47 I2 = 99.32%), three cross-sectional studies reporting the BOP score (T2 = 8.68 I2 = 99.13%), and four in vitro studies on apoptosis after vaping exposure in human oral fibroblasts (T 2 = 8.10 I2 = 91.50%) were separately analyzed. The risk of bias ranged from critical to low. Both ENDS and HTP seem to have detrimental effects on periodontal and peri-implant parameters, and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of carcinogenic and inflammatory biomarkers. flavored e-liquids may also be a caries risk factor. Comprehensive smoking counseling should be carried out with all types of smoking patients, investigating the type of habit in terms of duration, nicotine percentage, and additional flavorings. Additional research is necessary to assess the long-term effects of alternative tobacco products on oral health.

The Relationship of Caries Risk Factor and Caries Experience Index

Dental caries is the most common disease in the oral cavity. Caries in school children is increasing every year. Many factors cause dental caries, including food content, feeding frequency, plaque abundance, fluorine program, salivary secretion, and buffer capacity. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for caries with the number of Decay Missing Filling Teeth in 5th-grade students at SDN.22 / VI in Jambi City.
 This research is an observational study with a cross-sectional design. The study population was the 5th-grade students of SDN.22 / VI Jambi City, and the entire population is the object of research. The data were collected by filling out questionnaires and examination sheets to determine caries risk factors for DMF-T numbers. This study analyzed the data statistically using chi-square analysis to see the risk factors for caries with the Decay Missing Filling Teeth number for 5th-grade students of SDN.22 / VI, Jambi City.
 The results of this study state that there is no significant relationship between diseases that affect the DMF-T number (P value = 0.543). There is a significant relationship between food content and DMF-T numbers (P value = 0.000). A significant relationship was found between the frequency of eating with the DMF-T number (P value = 0.000), and there is no significant relationship between the fluorine program and the DMF-T rate in 5th-grade students of SDN.22 / VI Jambi City (P value = 0.464.)

Risk factors for dental caries in adults aged 35-44 years in DKI Jakarta: a cross-sectional study using the 2018 national Riskesdas data

Risk factors for dental caries in adults aged 35-44 years in DKI Jakarta: a cross-sectional study using the 2018 national Riskesdas data

The Effect of Toothbrushing Duration on Plaque Removal: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Background: Regular toothbrushing is an important step that removes plaque which is the common risk factor for both periodontitis and dental caries. Commonly prescribed time of brushing by dental professionals is 2 min, despite of which, the average time spent for brushing by the general population is 45 s. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between different brushing times from 30 to 180 s, and plaque removal using conventional brushing techniques in the general population. Materials and Methods: Forty participants were included in the study. Study participants brushed for 30, 45, 60, 120, and 180 s randomly. Plaque levels at baseline and after brushing for a specific time period were assessed using the Turesky-modified Quigley–Hein plaque index and a disclosing agent. Results: Plaque removal increased with increased brushing time with maximum removal at 180 s. Conclusions: Dental professionals during health education sessions should highlight the importance of brushing for more than 3 min to achieve maximum plaque removal.

The analysis of the risk factors for dental caries in Korean children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

The analysis of the risk factors for dental caries in Korean children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Association of Interdental Cleaning and Untreated Root Caries in Adults in the United States of America

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the association between interdental cleaning and untreated root caries amongst middle-aged and older adults in the US. Materials and methodsData were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2015–2016 and 2017–2018). Adults aged ≥40 years who underwent full mouth examination and root caries assessment were included. Participants were classified based on their interdental cleaning frequency as none, 1–3 d/wk, and 4–7 d/wk. Associations between interdental cleaning and untreated root caries were assessed using a weighted multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographics, general behaviour, general health condition, oral conditions, oral health behavior, and dietary factors. Subgroup analyses stratified by age and sex were performed after adjusting for covariates in the logistic regression models. ResultsThe prevalence of untreated root caries was 15.3% amongst 6217 participants. Interdental cleaning for 4–7 d/wk was a significant risk factor (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.85). It was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of untreated root caries in participants aged 40 to 64 years and a 37% reduction in women. Untreated root caries was also significantly associated with age, family income, smoking status, root restoration, number of teeth, untreated coronal caries, and recent dental visit. ConclusionsInterdental cleaning for 4–7 d/wk was associated with fewer untreated root caries amongst middle-aged adults and women in the US. The risk of root caries increases with age. Low family income was a risk indicator for root caries amongst middle-aged adults. Additionally, smoking, root restoration, number of teeth, untreated coronal caries, and recent dental visits were common risk factors for root caries in middle-aged and older people in the US.

Risk factors for early childhood caries (systematic review)

Relevance. Early childhood caries remains the most common chronic disease in children, having a significant impact on society around the world.Objective. To study all risk factors for early childhood caries identified from 2004 to 2023.Material and methods. The review analyzed and searched the literature in the databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed and E-library using the keywords: caries, early childhood caries, dental diseases, risk factors in English and Russian, respectively. In addition, we studied links to the studies relevant to the topic and manually searched the references for potentially suitable publications. The systematic review finally included randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis and systematic reviews to identify risk factors for caries onset in early childhood over the past decade. The final sample included 31 papers covering 16 countries and published from 2004 to 2023.Results. The results of the studies established the main risk factors for early childhood caries development (oral hygiene factors, social-demographic factors and dietary factors), identified temporary risk factors (complicated pregnancy, calcium intake during pregnancy), and determined insufficiently studied risk factors.Conclusion. The data of the included studies confirm the multifactorial nature of caries onset in early childhood and the lack of quantitative analysis among all currently known factors, which could significantly reduce caries prevalence due to the conceptual treatment model.

Being left alone at home and dental caries of children aged 6-7 years.

Leaving children alone at home is considered child neglect in some countries but is not prohibited in Japan. We investigated the association between being left alone at home and dental caries of children aged 6-7 years in Japan. The data on first graders in all 69 public elementary schools in Adachi, Tokyo, obtained from repeated cross-sectional surveys in 2015, 2017, and 2019 were analyzed. Caregivers answered the questionnaire, and the data were linked to the information on children's dental caries evaluated in school dental health checkups (N = 12,029). Poisson regression analysis with propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to account for confounders. Leaving children alone at home for ≥1 hour during the weekdays was reported by 46.4% of the caregivers, which did not vary across years. The PSM analysis showed that, compared with children never being left alone at home, children being left alone at home for ≥1 time per week had more dental caries (mean ratio (MR) 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.21; P-value 0.016), while <1 time per week was not associated (MR 0.97; 95% CI, 0.92-1.03; P-value 0.345). The difference between those being left alone at home for <1 time per week and those being left alone for ≥1 time per week was not significant after applying Bonferroni correction (MR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00-1.26; P-value 0.041). Leaving children alone at home for ≥1 hour every week might be a risk factor for dental caries of children aged 6-7 years.

Effect of Mesioangular Impaction of the Mandibular Third Molars on the Adjacent Mandibular Second Molars: An Imaging Study.

To investigate the effect of mesioangular impaction of the mandibular third molars on distal caries and distal bone loss (DBL) in the adjacent mandibular second molars to provide a basis for prophylactic impacted third molar extraction. We retrospectively analyzed panoramic radiographs of 736 patients with mesioangularly impacted mandibular third molars at the Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital. The chi-square test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and logistic regression were performed to analyze the relationship of patient age, sex, mesial inclination angle, distal caries, and DBL in the mandibular second molars. Patient aged over 30 years and a mesial inclination angle > 30° were risk factors for distal caries in the mandibular second molars (p < 0.05). Patients aged over 20 years and a mesial inclination angle of 60°-90° were risk factors for DBL (p < 0.05). In patients with mesioangularly impacted mandibular third molars, age and the mesial inclination angle were positively correlated with the severity of distal caries and DBL in the adjacent mandibular second molars. These findings could guide dental practitioners to prevent complications of the adjacent molars during early prophylactic extraction of the mandibular third molars with mesioangular inclination.

AWARENESS OF DENTAL CARIES PREVENTION IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS AND DENTAL INTERNS

Introduction. Promoting a commitment to dental caries prevention in young children plays a vital role in establishing healthy lifestyle habits that ward off dental diseases. The initial dental visit is as a cornerstone for fostering parental motivation in preventing dental issues and providing optimal conditions for the development of healthy eating habits, oral care practices, and the use of fluoride toothpaste. The foundation of dental knowledge, habits, and skills is laid within the family as children emulate adult behavior. Pediatric dentists, pediatricians, and primary healthcare personnel should serve as the primary and reliable sources of knowledge. As the determinants of dental caries are influenced by family-related risk factors, such as oral hygiene practices, the use of fluoride toothpaste, and sugar and carbohydrate consumption from an early age, parents bear the responsibility for creating an environment conducive to effective prevention. Dental professionals act as key information sources for oral health within the population and primary healthcare workers.&#x0D; Objective. This study aims to analyze the awareness of senior dental students and interns regarding the prevention of dental caries in infants and young children.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. A questionnaire was designed to assess awareness of dental caries prevention in infants and young children. The questionnaire, consisting of 13 questions with multiple answer options, was distributed to senior dental students and dental interns using an online Google form. It focused on evaluating knowledge of dental disease prevention, including the relationship between dental caries and behavioral risk factors such as nutrition, recommendations for oral care in children, and the use of fluoride-containing toothpaste.&#x0D; Results. Analysis of the questionnaire responses revealed that all participants were aware of the cariogenic nature of sugar, with 82.5% recognizing the caries-causing potential of fruit juices. However, knowledge regarding the cariogenicity of other products, such as fruits (8.8%) and dietary carbohydrates (25.4%), was limited. While the benefits of breastfeeding for a growing child are well-known, only 25.4% of senior dental students and interns recognized that prolonged, unregulated breastfeeding beyond one year contributes to early childhood caries. Moreover, 38.6% believed that bottle-feeding with milk formula can lead to tooth decay. Recommendations for feeding children from a spoon and cup after the eruption of the first milk tooth were not provided by any respondents. Only two individuals (1.8%) acknowledged that co-sleeping with the mother can pose a risk factor for childhood caries. Regarding oral hygiene recommendations for parents, only 12.3% of senior dental students and medical interns suggested the use of toothpaste and a brush, while guidance on selecting appropriate toothpaste for infants and young children was disregarded by all respondents. Additionally, the quantity of toothpaste to be applied and the age at which children should start brushing their teeth were not considered, with 53.5% of respondents believing that brushing with a toothbrush alone is sufficient.&#x0D; Conclusion. The survey exposed insufficient knowledge among senior dental students and medical interns regarding risk factors and evidence-based methods for preventing dental caries in infants and young children.

Utilization of local food on the prevention of dental caries among the elementary school children in the fishing community

The potential benefits of local food derived from rebon shrimp (Acetes sp.) as a preventive measure for dental caries are described in this study, which focused on Bagan Serdang village. Situated in the coastal area of Pantai Labu subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency, this village relies mainly on fisheries for income resources, with rebon shrimp being one of the leading marine products. The high abundance of calcium in rebon shrimp is well-known, with 2,306 mg of shrimp paste equivalent to 16 times the calcium content of 100 g of dietary milk. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the potential of rebon shrimp as a preventive measure for dental caries in school children aged 8-12 years from public elementary school 106448 in Bagan Serdang village. The study utilized Cariogram software to assess caries risk factors, including caries experience, pH and saliva secretion, plaque index, diet contents and frequency, fluoride exposure program, and clinical judgment. Atomic Absorbed Spectrophotometer (AAS) method was used to measure salivary calcium ions. In addition, the calcium content in rebon shrimp was measured in the laboratory of the industrial research center in Medan. The concentration of salivary calcium ions was found to be very low, with a mean of 0.75±0.32 mmol/L. The Cariogram assessment revealed a high caries risk of 54.12% among elementary school children. The laboratory results showed that dried rebon shrimp had a calcium content of 1.50% (w/w), while fresh rebon shrimp had a calcium content of 1.54% (w/w). Given the high prevalence and caries risk profile of elementary school children in Bagan Serdang village, the study suggests that the low concentration of salivary calcium ions and the high availability of calcium-enriched rebon shrimp can be used as a preventive strategy against dental caries in this population.

Microbial Indicators of Dental Health, Dysbiosis, and Early Childhood Caries

Dental caries lesions are a clinical manifestation of disease, preceded by microbial dysbiosis, which is poorly characterized and thought to be associated with saccharolytic taxa. Here, we assessed the associations between the oral microbiome of children and various caries risk factors such as demographics and behavioral and clinical data across early childhood and characterized over time the salivary and dental plaque microbiome of children before clinical diagnosis of caries lesions. Children (N = 266) were examined clinically at ~1, 2.5, 4, and 6.5 y of age. The microbiome samples were collected at 1, 2.5, and 4 y. Caries groups consisted of children who remained caries free (International Caries Detection and Assessment System [ICDAS] = 0) at all time points (CFAT) (n = 50); children diagnosed with caries (ICDAS ≥ 1) at 6.5 y (C6.5), 4 y (C4), or 2.5 y of age (C2.5); and children with early caries or advanced caries lesions at specific time points. Microbial community analyses were performed on zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs) obtained from V4 of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequences. The oral microbiome of the children was affected by various factors, including antibiotic use, demographics, and dietary habits of the children and their caregivers. At all time points, various risk factors explained more of the variation in the dental plaque microbiome than in saliva. At 1 y, composition of saliva of the C4 group differed from that of the CFAT group, while at 2.5 y, this difference was observed only in plaque. At 4 y, multiple salivary and plaque zOTUs of genera Prevotella and Leptotrichia were significantly higher in samples of the C6.5 group than those of the CFAT group. In conclusion, up to 3 y prior to clinical caries detection, the oral microbial communities were already in a state of dysbiosis that was dominated by proteolytic taxa. Plaque discriminated dysbiotic oral ecosystems from healthy ones better than saliva.

Comparative evaluation of Cranberry extract mouth rinse, Ozonized water and 0.2% Chlorhexidine on salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli count: An in-vivo study

Background: Cariogenic bacteria has always been considered as the highest risk factor for dental caries. The eradication of microorganisms from the oral health environment is important and hence may remedies have been suggested for its removal for a better oral health.&#x0D; Objectives: To assess the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cranberry extract and to determine the efficacy and compare the effect of the three products on salivary Streptococcus Mutans count and lactobacilli count.Materials and Methodology: A randomized control, double blind, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted on 75 subjects of age group of 15 years who were divided into three study groups ,Cranberry , Ozonized water and Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Microbial analysis was done by colony counter unit at baseline, 8thday and 15th day of using the mouthwashes. The inter-group variations was analyzed by using One way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc and Repeated measures for intra-group variations at different time intervals.&#x0D; Results: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli colony count showed a statistically highly significant difference in reduction of colony count between the three groups (p=0.001) at 8th and 15th day of using the mouthwashes. Ozonized water showed better reduction when compared with Cranberry mouth wash in reduction of Streptococcus mutans count. Cranberry mouth wash had shown a better reduction when compared with Ozonized water in reduction of Lactobacilli colony count.Conclusion: The test mouthwash was effective in reducing the microbial count, similar to Chlorhexidine mouth wash. Recent advances may allow the dental community to be exposed to much better oral health care.&#x0D; key words : cranberry, ozone water, streptococcus mutans, lacto bacilli, oral hygiene

Prevalence and associated risk factors of early childhood caries among 2 to 6 year old children in Mahe region of U.T of Puducherry, India

Prevalence and associated risk factors of early childhood caries among 2 to 6 year old children in Mahe region of U.T of Puducherry, India

Short-term sugar stress induces compositional changes and loss of diversity of the supragingival microbiota

ABSTRACT Frequent intake of free sugars is a major risk factor for dental caries, but the immediate influence of sugar intake on the supragingival microbiota remains unknown. We aim to characterize the effect of 14 days of sugar rinsing on the supragingival microbiota. Forty orally and systemically healthy participants rinsed their mouth with a 10% sucrose solution, 6–8 times a day, for 14 days, followed by 14 days without sugar stress. Supragingival plaque samples were collected at baseline, and after 14, and 28 days. The supragingival microbiota was analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Taxonomic classification was performed using the Human Oral Microbiome Database. After 14 days of sugar stress induced by the daily sugar rinses, a significant loss of α-diversity (p = 0.02) and a significant increase in the relative abundance of Actinomyces (6.5% to 9.6%, p = 0.006) and Corynebacterium (6.2% to 9.1%, p = 0.03) species were recorded. In addition, a significant decrease in Streptococcus (10.3% to 6.1%, p = 0.001) species was observed. Sugar-mediated changes returned to baseline conditions 14 days after the last sugar rinse. The present study shows that temporary sugar stress induces loss of diversity and compositional changes to the supragingival microbiota, which are reversible if oral care is maintained.

Behavioural patterns of children as risk factors of oral hygiene and dental caries- A short study

Oral health is an important aspect affecting general health and quality of life. All children have different health considerations including oral health. Children have their own basic nature and this behaviour variability may influence their understanding and acceptability towards maintenance of oral hygiene. Some children may not follow the proper oral hygiene regimes due to variable behaviour which can drastically affect their oral status. Thus, the behaviour of child can act as an obstacle in maintaining oral hygiene. The present study was aimed at finding the association of child behaviour with dental caries and oral hygiene status.: A convenient sample of 100 children aged 6-11 years visiting the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry were taken for the study. A questionnaire was designed to assess the behaviour of children. Oral hygiene Index and Caries Index of the samples to be studied were recorded. The obtained data was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis A statistically significant association was found between child behaviour and dental caries(deft). Also, different types of behaviour pattern showed difference in oral hygiene and caries index. a correlation between oral hygiene and child behaviour was also found.Oral health status has a multifactorial etiology with child behaviour as an influential factor. Especially in young children, it may directly or indirectly influence caries risk and oral hygiene status. If identified in initial phase, working upon it may help in promoting better oral health of children in the long run.

Is prolonged breastfeeding a risk factor for dental caries at 2 years of age?

A birth cohort study. Children born at Womens and Childrens Hospital of Juruá in the Western Brazilian Amazon from July 2015 to June 2016 were invited to join the study. 1246 children were invited and accepted into the study. Follow-up included visits at 6, 12 and 24 months of age, and a dental caries examination between 21 and 27months of age (n = 800). Data collected included baseline co-variables and sugar consumption. Data was collected at 6, 12 and 24months. At 24months, a 24-hour diet recall was obtained from the mother to obtain information on sugar consumption. A dental examination was carried out by two research paediatric dentists and caries was scored in accordance with the WHO criteria: decayed, missing and filled primary teeth (dmft)..Children were then categorised into absence of caries (dmft = 0) or presence of caries (dmft = >1). Follow-up interviews were carried out in 10% of cases to ensure accuracy and quality of the results. Statistical analysis was carried out using the G-formula. It was assumed breastfeeding had a direct effect on caries at 2 years and is indirectly mediated by sugar consumption. This was modified to include the presence of intermediate confounders (bottle-feeding) and time-varying confounders. Total causal effect of these confounders was calculated by the addition of natural direct effect and natural indirect effect. The odds ratio (OR) for total causal effect was estimated. In total, 800 children were followed up throughout the study; of these, the prevalence of caries was 22.8% (95% CI, 19.8%-25.8%). 14.9% (n = 114) of children were breastfed at 2 years of age and 60% of children (n = 480) were bottle-fed. Bottle-fed children were found to have an inverse relationship with caries. Children breastfed for 12-23 months (n = 439) were found to have an OR 1.13 for having caries at 2 years compared to those breastfed <12-months (n = 247), equating to a 13% higher risk. Children breastfed for ≥24-months had an even higher risk (27%) of caries at 2 years of age compared to those breast-fed to 12-months (TCE: OR = 1.27, 95% BC-CI 1.14:1.40). There is a weak association with prolonged breastfeeding and increased caries rate in children. Decreasing sugar consumption alongside prolonged breastfeeding marginally reduces the effect of breastfeeding on dental caries.

Third molars: not so NICE? risk factors for distal caries in mandibular second molars

UK guidelines currently advise against the prophylactic removal of mandibular third molars. However, growing evidence shows that asymptomatic impacted mandibular third molars may contribute to the formation of distal caries in mandibular second molars. Patients should be made aware that these guidelines do not necessarily prevent the potential development of decay or loss of mandibular second molars. A retrospective review, over 6 months, analysed the incidence and evaluated the risk for developing caries on the distal aspect of mandibular second molars, in patients referred for assessment of impacted third molars. Distal caries in the mandibular second molar was present in 24.1% of cases. Of these patients, 9% demonstrated caries bilaterally. In those who developed distal caries in the mandibular second molar, 76% of adjacent third molars demonstrated mesio-angular impaction, 91% of third molars were partially erupted, and 95% of third molars were either touching or in close proximity to the ACJ of the second molar tooth. The prophylactic removal or coronectomy of mesio-angluar or horizontally impacted third molars that are partially erupted and closely related to the ACJ of mandibular second molars may result in improved long-term patient outcomes. CPD/Clinical Relevance: The prophylactic removal or coronectomy of certain third molars may result in improved long-term patient outcomes.