MOLAR CARIES;

Objectives: To identify risk factor of distal surface caries on mandibular secondmolar associated with partially erupted mandibular third molar. Setting: The study wasconducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Liaquat University HospitalJamshoro/Hyderabad from April 2013 to September2013. Methodology: Total 273 patientsof either gender with age 16-45 years had partially impacted mandibular third molar, wereincluded. Diagnosis was made on clinical as well as periapical view and OPG examination.Distance from CEJ of mesial surface of third molar to CEJ of distal surface of second molarwas measured in millimeters. Results: Results about association of caries with other variablesshowed that significant association of caries was observed with gender, winter classification,Pell Gregory (ramus), and angulation with p<0.01. The association of caries was also observedwith age and third molar site with p<0.05. The association was not significant with Pell Gregory(occlusal) and distance with p> 0.05. Conclusion: It was concluded with the results of thisstudy that there was an increased risk of developing dental caries in 2nd molar tooth at distalsurface with risk factor being partially erupted mandibular 3rd molar, mesioangular, class I, levelA, and angulation of more than 30 degrees.