Francesco Giovacchini1, Daniele Paradiso2, Caterina Bensi3, Stefano Belli4, Giuseppe Lomurno5, Antonio Tullio6. 1. Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Piazza Menghini 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy. 2. S.S.D. of Oral Surgery and Ambulatory, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Piazza Menghini 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy. 3. Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Piazza Gambuli 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy. Electronic address: caterina.bensi@studenti.unipg.it. 4. Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Piazza Gambuli 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy. 5. S.S.D. of Oral Surgery and Ambulatory, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Piazza Menghini 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy; Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Piazza Gambuli 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy. 6. Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Piazza Menghini 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy; Maxillo-Facial Surgery Chief, University of Perugia, Piazza Gambuli 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of mandibular angle fracture associated with the presence of a mandibular third molar and its position when the mandibular fracture occurs. METHODS: A systematic literary search was performed in Pubmed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for observational studies with at least 250 patients that included frequency of mandibular angle fracture, presence of third molar, and its position. RESULTS: A total of seven studies were included in the review, from an initial search of 622 titles. The relative risk of mandibular angle fracture with third molar was 1.90 (95% CI = 1.47-2.46). The relative risk of mandibular angle fracture related to third molar position (according to the Pell and Gregory classification) was 1.18 (95% CI = 0.62-2.25), 1.98 (95% CI = 0.95-4.10), 2.72 (95% CI = 1.78-4.16), 1.31 (95% CI = 0.80-2.14), 2.21 (95% CI = 1.69-2.87) and 2.99 (95% CI = 2.12-4.22) for Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class II, and Class III, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis reported a two-fold increased risk of mandibular angle fracture with the presence of a third molar in patients who presented with mandibular fractures. Even the third molar position seemed to influence mandibular angle fracture, especially Class C, Class II, and Class III.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of mandibular angle fracture associated with the presence of a mandibular third molar and its position when the mandibular fracture occurs. METHODS: A systematic literary search was performed in Pubmed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for observational studies with at least 250 patients that included frequency of mandibular angle fracture, presence of third molar, and its position. RESULTS: A total of seven studies were included in the review, from an initial search of 622 titles. The relative risk of mandibular angle fracture with third molar was 1.90 (95% CI = 1.47-2.46). The relative risk of mandibular angle fracture related to third molar position (according to the Pell and Gregory classification) was 1.18 (95% CI = 0.62-2.25), 1.98 (95% CI = 0.95-4.10), 2.72 (95% CI = 1.78-4.16), 1.31 (95% CI = 0.80-2.14), 2.21 (95% CI = 1.69-2.87) and 2.99 (95% CI = 2.12-4.22) for Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class II, and Class III, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis reported a two-fold increased risk of mandibular angle fracture with the presence of a third molar in patients who presented with mandibular fractures. Even the third molar position seemed to influence mandibular angle fracture, especially Class C, Class II, and Class III.