Evaluation of the relationship between wisdom teeth and mandibular fractures

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of mandibular fractures with the presence and position of third molars. Patients who presented to our clinic due to mandible fractures between 2013 and 2020 were included in the study. Panoramic radiographs, computed tomography images and clinical records of the patients were examined as a data source. Locations of mandibular fractures, combined fracture sites, ipsilateral mandibular wisdom teeth were recorded. The Pell-Gregory classification was used to determine the degree of impaction of the wisdom teeth and according to the ramus and the depth, and the Winter classification to determine their position and angulations. The relationship of all data with fractures of the mandible was evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed with the SPSS program using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The study sample consisted of 65 patients (condyle fractures; 15.4%, angulus fractures 29.2%, body fractures 18.5% and symphysis fractures 36.9%). 18 of the patients had a combined fracture. It was observed that there was a significant relationship between mandible fractures and the presence of combined fractures (χ² = 11.182, p = 0.011). While 76.9% of the patients with mandible fractures had mandibular wisdom teeth; 58% of them were found to be impacted. No significant relationship was found between the localization of the fracture and the presence of wisdom teeth and/or impacted teeth (p [Med-Science 2021; 10(3.000): 835-8]

Keywords

• wisdom teeth
• mandibular fractures
• angulus fractures