The role of mandibular third molar in the mandibular angle fractures

Oh, Sung Hwan

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study attempted to relate the incidence of fractures at the mandibular angle with the presence and state of eruption of lower third molars, and to find out the real risk factors for angle fractures in the states of lower third molars.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical records and radiographs of 395 patients with mandibular fractures were retrospectively reviewed. The presence and states of third molars were assessed for each patients and related to the occurrence of angle and other mandibular fractures.
RESULTS
Of 395 patients with mandibular fractures, 142 had angle fractures. The incidence of angle fractures was found to be significantly greater when partial erupted lower third molars were present and it had a definite role for risk factors for angle fractures. But there were no clear relationship between the incidence of angle fracrtures and states of without, fully erupted lower third molars. Furthermore, the states of patial and unerupted lower third molar had an effect on bony segment displacement.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides clinical evidence to suggest that patial erupted third molar teeth weaken the mandibular angle both quantitatively and qualitatively.