Impacted third molars: a contributing factor in mandibular fractures in contact sports.
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.
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