title: Relationship between fracture of mandibular condyle and absence of unerupted mandibular third molar-a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to find, if there exists, a co-relation between presence of unerupted mandibular third molar and fracture of mandibular condyle.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, multicenter study was done collecting the data of all mandibular condyle fractures treated from November 2006 till August 2015. Data was collected from the patient's records and radiographs for the following information: age, sex, etiology of fracture, presence and state of lower third molars, and associated fracture. The results were subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 180 patients of condylar fracture, unerupted third molars were present in 35 (19.44 %) cases compared to 145 (80.55 %) cases of condylar fracture where the unerupted third molars were not present. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the unerupted third molar present group, isolated bilateral condylar fracture was seen in 4 (11.4 %) cases, bilateral condylar fracture associated with other mandibular fractures in 9 (25.7 %) cases, isolated unilateral condylar fracture in 0 (0.0 %) cases, and unilateral condylar fracture associated with other mandibular fractures in 17 (48.5 %) cases and condylar fracture associated with mid face fractures in 5 (14.2 %) cases. In the unerupted third molar absent group, isolated bilateral condylar fracture was seen in 5 (3.4 %) cases, bilateral condylar fracture associated with other mandibular fractures in 30 (20.6 %) cases, isolated unilateral condylar fracture in 24 (16.5 %) cases, unilateral condylar fracture associated with other mandibular fractures in 73 (50.34 %) cases, and condylar fracture associated with mid face fractures in 13(8.96 %) cases. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.032).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the fractures of mandibular condylar region have a significantly higher incidence in patients without an unerupted mandibular third molar.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, SVS Institute of Dental Sciences, Mehbubnagar, Telenganam, 500008, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Surendera Dental College & Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, 335001, India. dineshverma@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dinesh Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Sawangi, Distt.-Wardha, Maharashtra, 442001, India.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Borle
authors.affiliation: Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Sawangi, Distt.-Wardha, Maharashtra, 442001, India.
authors.forename: Abhilasha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yadav
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Angle fracture; Condylar fracture; Impacted third molar; Unerupted third molar