Correlation of mandibular gonial angle and mandibular angle fracture: A radiographic study

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlation between mandibular gonial angle and mandibular third molar with the risk of mandibular angle fracture. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 294 orthopantomograms (OPG) of mandibular fracture. The sample was broadly divided into two groups, i.e. angle fracture group and non-angle fracture group. Gonial angle was measured digitally using software IWCR ROCKEY version 3.2 and status of third molar was assessed in the angle fracture group. Results: The mean age of the patients is 30.29 ± 8 years. Out of 294 OPGs, 226 were non-angle fracture and 68 were angle fracture. The mean gonial angle of patients in angle fracture group was 117.91 ± 7.74°, which was 0.9° larger than the non-angle fracture group (mean 117.03 ± 8.43; P = 0.4427). The third molar was present in 88% of angle fractures and 57% were impacted molars. Conclusion: There was no correlation between high gonial angle and mandibular angle fracture. Impacted third molar can be one of the risk factors for mandibular angle fracture.

Keywords

• mandibular angle fracture
• mandibular gonial angle
• mandibular third molar