title: Impacted third molars: a contributing factor in mandibular fractures in contact sports.
abstract: Studies have shown that the presence of impacted third molars places the mandible at increased risk for fracture. Individuals participating in high contact sports are subject to maxillofacial trauma; therefore, participants with impacted third molars are at increased risk for fractured mandibles. Three cases are reviewed to illustrate this problem.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D001484:Baseball; D001914:Boxing; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008964:Molar, Third; D011859:Radiography; D013178:Sports Medicine; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging