title: Mandibular third molars and angle fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study purpose was to measure associations between mandibular third molar (M3) status/position and risk for angle fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed a multicenter retrospective cohort study composed of patients who presented for operative management of mandible fractures. The primary predictor variable was M3 (present/absent). The secondary predictor variable was M3 position classified using the Pell and Gregory system. The outcome variable was angle fracture (present/absent). Appropriate univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were computed. The level of statistical significance was set at P </=.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study sample was composed of 1,450 subjects with a mean age of 30.6 +/- 10.4 years (range, 2 to 87 years). The risk of an angle fracture with and without M3s was 30.1% and 13.7%, respectively (adjusted odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 3.4; P <.001). Based on the Pell and Gregory classification, varying M3 position was associated with varying risks of angle fracture (P <.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of M3s was associated with a 2.8-fold increased risk for angle fractures. M3 position was associated with a variable risk for angle fracture. Notably, the deep impactions were not associated with an increased risk for fracture.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Halmos
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Dodson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications; D044465:White People