Incompletely erupted third molars in the line of mandibular fractures. A retrospective analysis of 57 cases.

A retrospective investigation was carried out of 57 cases of mandibular angle fractures, where a completely or partially impacted third molar was present in the line of fracture. Closed reduction was used in all of the cases, using intermaxillary fixation over a period of 42 days. Antibiotics were given to all patients for a period of 1 week. Thirty-one patients (55%) were treated within the first 24 hours and 43 (75%) within 48 hours. Infection at the fracture site occurred in two patients (3.5%). Both of these patients had been treated within the first 24 hours. It is concluded that closed reduction with retention of the mandibular third molar within the line of a mandibular angle fracture can be carried out with less morbidity compared with cases in which rigid fixation is used and movement of the jaws permitted immediately. Because of the size of the study group, no relationship could be demonstrated between cases with infection and the time from trauma to fixation.