Relationship between mandibular condyle and angle fractures and the presence of mandibular third molars.
OBJECTIVE
We retrospectively evaluated the impact of mandibular third molars on the occurrence of angle and condyle fractures.


METHODS
This was a retrospective investigation using patient records and radiographs. The sample set consisted of 440 patients with mandibular fractures. Eruption space, depth and angulation of the third molar were measured.


RESULTS
Of the 144 angle fracture patients, 130 patients had third molars and 14 patients did not. The ratio of angle fractures when a third molar was present (1.26 : 1) was greater than when no third molar was present (0.19 : 1; odds ratio, 6.58; P<0.001). Of the 141 condyle fractures patients, the third molar was present in 84 patients and absent in 57 patients. The ratio of condyle fractures when a third molar was present (0.56 : 1) was lower than when no third molar was present (1.90 : 1; odds ratio, 0.30; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased ratio of angle fractures with third molars and the ratio of condyle fractures without a third molar were statistically significant. The occurrence of angle and condyle fractures was more affected by the continuity of the cortical bone at the angle than by the depth of a third molar. These results demonstrate that a third molar can be a determining factor in angle and condyle fractures.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Deuk-Hyun
DH
Mah
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Su-Gwan
SG
Kim
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Seong-Yong
SY
Moon
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Ji-Su
JS
Oh
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Jae-Seek
JS
You
Bone fracture; Tooth; Trauma