Aims and Objectives:
1. To evaluate the co-relation between fractures of the mandibular angle with the presence or absence of impacted third molars.
2. To assess the influence of the angulation, position and degree of impacted third molars on the incidence of mandibular angle fractures.
3. To determine the necessity of prophylactic removal of impacted mandibular third molars.
4. To correlate the site of fracture with the age, sex and the cause of injury.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was performed using medical records and panoramic radiographs as data source from the various centers in the districts of Hassan and Mysore. All the cases which had mandibular angle fracture were assessed for the presence or absence of third molars. If third molar was present it was categorized using Pell and Gregory and Winter’s system of classification. A standardized data sheet was formulated and collected data was analyzed through student’s t- test and chi-square test.
Results: 300 cases with mandibular angle fracture were enrolled in the present study. Males of 2nd to 3rd decade were commonly affected than females. Most fractures were caused by Road Traffic Accidents (60.83%), followed by falls (22.5%), assault (9.16%) and sports activities (5.83%). Mesioangular, Class 1 and Position A were the most common type of impacted teeth. Angle fractures were more common on left side (65 %) than on the right side.
Interpretation and Conclusion: This retrospective study shows that there is asignificant co-relation between the mandibular angle fracture and impacted third molars. Mesioangular, Class 1 and Position A type of impacted teeth are most commonly associated with mandibular angle fractures.
