RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FRACTURES OF THE MANDIBULAR ANGLE AND THE PRESENCE AND STATE OF ERUPTION OF THE LOWER 3RD MOLAR

Objectives. This study attempted to relate the incidence of fractures at the mandibular angle with the presence and state of eruption of low er third molars.Study design. The records and radiographs of 200 patie nts with mandibular fractures were examined. The presence and degree o f impaction of lower third molars were assessed for each patient and r elated to the occurrence of fractures of the mandibular angle. Data we re analyzed by chi-square statistic and the Student's t test. Results. The incidence of angle fractures was found to be significantly greate r when unerupted lower third molars were present (p < 0.001). Bilatera l unerupted third molar teeth predisposed to a fracture at the angle s ignificantly more than unilateral unerupted third molars (p < 0.01). F urthermore, the amount of bony space occupied by an unerupted third mo lar tooth directly related to the weakness of that area of bone (p < 0 .001). Conclusions. This study provides clinical evidence to suggest t hat unerupted third molar teeth weaken the mandibular angle both quant itatively and qualitatively.