Topographic Distribution of Carious Lesion on Young Permanent Mandibular Molars and Its Relation to Periapical Index Score of Apical Periodontitis: A Radiographic Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Caries in young permanent teeth progress rapidly resulting in early pulp involvement which further progresses into loss of mineralized tissue and severe periapical pathologies. The Periapical Index scoring system (PAI) proposed by Ørstavik et al. in 1986 is an invaluable diagnostic tool used to evaluate periapical lesion extent and severity by 2D digital intraoral periapical radiographic analysis with minimal radiation exposure and hence treatment planning. AIM: To evaluate the relationship of the surface distribution of caries in young permanent molars, pulpal involvement and periapical index (PAI) score with respect to individual root forming young permanent mandibular molars. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this retrospective single-centre study, 100 pulpally involved carious young permanent mandibular molars were included, selected from the departmental records between August 2018-2019. Topographic distribution of caries and radiographic analysis (using PAI) was evaluated to see the effect of anatomical site of caries, individual anatomical form of root, and extent & severity of apical periodontitis developed. RESULT: No significant correlation between the site of caries involvement and PAI score was observed. PAI score for distal roots was higher(PAI> 2) as compared to mesial root for pulpally involved carious young permanent first molars (p-value mesial root-0.576 , distal root-0.591) CONCLUSION: PAI score is independent of the topographic distribution of caries and no correlation was observed. Periapical radiolucency does not depend on caries distribution, either it is mesial, distal or occlusal