Treatment of Maxillary and Mandibular Second Molars with Cervical Caries Due to Impacted Third Molars: Report of Two Clinical Cases

Abstract

Mandibular and maxillary second molars are often affected with caries on the distal coronal and/or root surface when adjacent to impacted third molars. Generally, the magnitude and location of these cavities represent a restorative and endodontic challenge to preserve the affected dental piece and requires in many cases comprehensive endodontic, periodontal and restorative treatment. As part of the treatment, it is essential to make an adequate diagnosis for which it is necessary to resort to clinical, periodontal, radiographic examination, ideally including a CBCT to adequately evaluate the affected surfaces and the remaining tissue to be considered in the decision-making process and the approach of the most appropriate treatment plan. If it is considered that the affected second molars can be rehabilitated, conservative treatment would be recommended, otherwise other alternatives such as dental extraction, dental implant or dental transplant could be taken into account. In this article, two clinical cases are reported, one of a maxillary molar and the other of a mandibular molar, both affected with cervical caries due to impacted third molars. Both pieces were treated conservatively by endodontic treatment and reconstruction with dual-curing resin and composite resin.