THIRD MOLAR IMPACTION AS A PREDISPOSING FACTOR IN ANGLE OF MANDIBULAR FRACTURE - A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Aim: The mandibular angle and condylar region are most prone to fracture and this has been attributed to the presence and absence of the third molar. There was a definitive positive relation to impacted third molar and increased incidence of angle fractures. Third molar impaction acts as a predisposing factor to angle fracture. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of third molar impaction in the mandible angle fracture. Materials and methods; The study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiographic finding of the patients with the angle of mandibular fracture during the time period of June 2019 to March 2020 by reviewing 86,000 patients records who visited Saveetha Dental College in Chennai. The total sample of mandibular angle fracture obtained was 19. The data was tabulated and entered in excel. Chi-square analysis was done using SPSS package software. The variables impaction of third molar and side of mandibular angle fracture were compared. In the study, p<0.05 was considered to be the level of statistical significance. Results: Among the 77 maxillofacial fracture data collected only 62.3% fracture were found to be mandibular fractures. The fracture that occured in the angle region of the mandible was 44.1%. 31.6% of the third molar were impacted whereas 68.4% were non-impacted teeth.There is higher incidence of mandibular fractures in males compared to that of females.Most common age group was 31-40 years. Chi-square test was done and p value obtained was 0.252 which >0.05. There was no significant difference between the presence of impacted third molar and angular fracture of mandible. Conclusion : In this study it is observed that the mandibular fracture is more prevalent in male with right mandibular angle fracture in both impacted lower third molars.Presence of third molar attributes to the increased mandibular fragility which leads to mandibular fracture.