A comparative study of the clinical aspects and relationship between fractures of mandibular angle and the presence of a lower third molar

Abstract

bstract: Several authors have reported that the presence of teeth may be one of the determinants of mandibular fractures. Fracture of the jaw plays an important role in the practice of the oral surgeon. A number of factors contribute to the strength of the mandible. These include presence of active and strong musculature, the shape and thickness of the bone, and the presence or absence of teeth.

The Deparment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry,

Istanbul University, managed 100 patients with mandibular factures between 1991 and

1999. The male to female ratio was 5.25/1 and the majority of patients were aged between 12 and 53 years. Accidents and fights were the main causes of fractures throughout the 8-year study period. A high percentage of patients were treated by closed reduction and maxillo-mandibular fixation. The aim of this study was to correlate the incidence of mandibular fractures with the presence and the degree of eruption of lower third molar teeth. Data were analyzed by chi- square and Student’s t test.

Key Words: Mandibular fracture, lower third molar