BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown the increased risk of mandibular angle fractures associated with incompletely erupted mandibular third molars. But only a few reports analysed in detail the relationship of the status of eruption of this tooth and this type of fracture. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of the eruption status of incompletely erupted mandibular third molars on the incidence of mandibular angle fractures. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-six mandibular halves in 218 patients with mandibular fractures, aged between 15 and 40 years old, were analysed using panoramic radiographs. RESULTS: The incidence of angle fractures in the mandibular halves with incompletely erupted mandibular third molars was 30.8% and this was statistically significantly higher than that in another group (p<0.0001). Deeply located mandibular third molars clearly showed a higher incidence of this fracture when compared with the adjacent second molar (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation showed that incompletely erupted mandibular third molars close to the inferior border of the mandible have a high risk of angle fractures.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown the increased risk of mandibular angle fractures associated with incompletely erupted mandibular third molars. But only a few reports analysed in detail the relationship of the status of eruption of this tooth and this type of fracture. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of the eruption status of incompletely erupted mandibular third molars on the incidence of mandibular angle fractures. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-six mandibular halves in 218 patients with mandibular fractures, aged between 15 and 40 years old, were analysed using panoramic radiographs. RESULTS: The incidence of angle fractures in the mandibular halves with incompletely erupted mandibular third molars was 30.8% and this was statistically significantly higher than that in another group (p<0.0001). Deeply located mandibular third molars clearly showed a higher incidence of this fracture when compared with the adjacent second molar (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation showed that incompletely erupted mandibular third molars close to the inferior border of the mandible have a high risk of angle fractures.
Authors: Marco Aurélio Kenichi Yamaji; Patrício José de Oliveira Neto; Michel de Campos Ribeiro; Lucas Cavalieri Pereira; Márcio de Morais; Cássio Edvard Sverzut; Alexandre Elias Trivellato Journal: Oral Maxillofac Surg Date: 2015-03