Impacted mandibular third molars and their influence on mandibular angle and condyle fractures - A retrospective study

BackgroundPrevious retrospective analyses prove that impacted mandibular third molars (M3s) increase the risk of angle fractures and decrease the risk of concomitant fractures to the condyle.Study designA retrospective cohort was designed for patients reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from January 2011 till June 2013. The study variables are presence or absence of third molar, if it is present, their position, classified using the Pell and Gregory system; angulation, classified using Shiller's method. The outcome variables were angle and condyle fractures.Materials and methodsHospital records and panoramic radiographs were used to determine and classify these variables.The study sample comprised of 118 mandibular angle and condyle fractures in 110 patients.Database was constructed and analysed using SPSS version 10.0.ConclusionThis present retrospective study concluded that the presence of impacted third molar predisposes the angle to fracture and reduces the risk of a concomitant condylar fracture. However absence of impacted third molar increases the risk of condylar fracture. The highest incidence of angle fracture was observed in position A impacted mandibular third molars. And there is no significant relationship, concerning ramus position and angulation of impacted mandibular third molars with the angle fracture.