Role of mandibular 3rd molar and integrity of external oblique line in relation to the resistance of angle and condyle of mandible to fracture - Retrospective study

Syed wakeel; Sabzar Abdullah; Parveen lone; Zubair Ahmad; Saba Afreen

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

Role of mandibular 3rd molar and integrity of external oblique line in relation to the resistance of angle and condyle of mandible to fracture - Retrospective study

Syed Wakeel, Sabzar Abdullah, Parveen Lone, Zubair Ahmad, Saba Afreen

Abstract :

AIMS/OBJECTIVE: – The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between mandibular angle fracture and the status of eruption of the mandibular third molars. The study was done to investigate causal relationship between partially erupted or impacted mandibular 3rd molars and the subsequent risk of fracture of condyle and angle of mandible METHOD: – A retrospective study was conducted for 2 years in government dental college Jammu . The sample consisted of 102 mandibular angle fracture case with or without the presence of mandibular third molars, inclusive of both sexes in the age group 18–45 years. The mandibular angle fractures were analysed by taking an orthopantomogram for each case after an informed consent was obtained. Classification followed was Pell Gregory and winters classification. Outcome variable was presence of condyle and angle fractures of mandible. Mandibular fractures classified as pathologic were excluded. The predictor variable was the presence or absence of mandibular third molar (M3). The confounding variables were the age, gender and cause of accident. The relationship between predictor and outcome variables is analyzed by using chi–square test. The patients were all medically fit and healthy. Exclusion criteria were edentulous patients as well as patients with any bony pathology. A p–value of less than 0.05 is considered as significant. RESULTS: – the mean age was 31 years, male predominance and RTA was most common cause. Increased incidence of angle fractures in the presence of mandibular third molar. , mandibular third molar was present in 90% of the cases with angle fracture. 73% of the teeth were impacted. Increased incidence of mandibular angle fracture was observed in position A, class II, and mesioangular impaction of third molar, which were statistically significant. No significant association was seen between condylar fracture and 3rd molars; also depth of 3rd molar has no significant relationship with angle fracture. Conclusion: – The most important finding of our study was that man¬dibular third molars are one of the factors associated with a higher incidence (2.3–fold) of angle fracture. The presence of mandibular third molar was in strong association with mandibular angle fracture and there was an increased incidence of position A, class II, and mesioangular impaction, when compared with other positions. This study concludes that there is a direct relationship between the presence and status of impacted third molars with increased risk of mandibular angle fracture. Relationship with condylar fractures needs to be investigated with more sample size.