Distal cervical caries in the mandibular second molar: An indication for the prophylactic removal of the third molar?

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 and 80. 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.(c) 2005 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.