It has been reported that the presence of impacted third molars is associated with an increased risk of mandible fracture. A retrospective study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (May 2009) reviewed patient charts and radiographs to determine the relationship between presence and severity of impacted third molars and the risk of mandibular angle fracture in patients with mandibular fractures. The following data were recorded: fracture site; third molars absent/present; and if present, angulation, depth, and relationship of third molar to mandibular ramus; also, age, gender, and cause of injury. Data were analyzed using the chisquare test. The study found that 2,033 patients had 3,142 mandibular fractures. In total, 72.0% of patients had a third molar present, and 26.5% had an angle fracture. The most frequent causes of injury were: road traffic accident (64%), assault (19%), and falls (12%). Patients with angle fractures were younger than patients without angle fractures (P < .001), and males had more angle fractures than females (P < .001). Patients with third molars were 2.62 times more likely to have an angle fracture than patients without third molars. A total of 77.7% of patients with unerupted third molars had an angle fracture. In conclusion, the risk of mandibular angle fracture was greater when third molars were present. Risk was greatest for third molars that were completely, vertically impacted and located within the ramus.
(Source: Oakstone Review, June 30, 2009)
