Are mandibular third molars a risk factor for angle fractures? A retrospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
Anecodotal reports suggest that the presence of mandibular third molars predispose the mandible to angle fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mandibular third molars as risk factors for angle fractures in a patient sample with fractured mandibles.


METHODS
The medical records and panoramic radiographs of a patient cohort with mandible fractures was retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected for the following variables: age, sex, race, mechanism of injury, number and location of mandible fractures, and the presence and position of the mandibular third molars.


RESULTS
Of the 73 patients with mandibular third molars, 30 (41.1%) had angle fractures. Of the 28 patients without mandibular third molars, 3 (10.7%) had angle fractures (P = .004).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate that patients with fractured mandibles and mandibular third molars are 3.8 times more likely to have an angle fracture than patients without mandibular third molars.
Tevepaugh
D B
DB
Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Dodson
T B
TB
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009811:Odontometry; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors