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. 2009 Nov 21;8(3):237–240. doi: 10.1007/s12663-009-0058-z

Mandibular third molars as a risk factor for angle fractures: a retrospective study

K Rajkumar 1,2,✉, Sinha Ramen 1, Roy Chowdhury 1, P K Chattopadhyay 1
PMCID: PMC3454229  PMID: 23139516

Abstract

Introduction

Anecdotal reports suggest that the presence of mandibular third molars predispose the mandible to angle fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of mandibular third molars as a risk factor for angle fractures in patients with fractured mandibles.

Materials and method

A retrospective study was designed comprising of patients admitted for treatment of mandibular fractures between January 2006 and January 2009. Data sources were the patients’ medical records and radiographs. The predictor variables were the presence and position of third molar. Third molar position was grouped into 9 categories based on the Winter’s and Pell & Gregory classification. The outcome variable was the presence of an angle fracture. Other study variables included age, sex, race and mechanism of injury, associated fractures and fracture location.

Results

Of the 136 patients with mandibular third molars, 49 cases had angle fractures. Of the 18 patients without mandibular third molars, 03 had angle fractures.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that patients with fractured mandibles and mandibular third molars are nearly 2.2 times more likely to have an angle fracture than patients without mandibular third molars.

Keywords: Mandibular third molars, Angle fractures

Full Text

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