Late mandibular fracture after third molar surgery: A survey of Connecticut oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Purpose: This study investigated the incidence and causative factors involv ed in late mandibular fractures after third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 106 oral and maxillofaci al surgeons in Connecticut, asking them about their experience with late fr actures over a 10-year period. Results: A 79% response indicated 28 fractures occurring in 611,000 extract ions, for an incidence of 0.0046%. The cause was found to be multifactorial and included age, gender, type of impaction, preexisting infection, and fa ilure to maintain a soft diet in the postoperative period. Most fractures o ccurred between the Ist and 21st days postoperatively. Three of the fractur es resulted in malpractice litigation. Conclusion: Men over the age of 25 years should be specifically informed ab out the risk of late mandible fracture after third molar surgery. This grou p of patients should be educated about the quality and duration of a soft d iet. (C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.