The influence of wisdom tooth impaction and occlusal support on mandibular angle and condyle fractures

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship of the occlusal support together with the lower third molars to the mandibular fractures of the angle and condyle among patients in our medical institutions. This was a retrospective study that reviewed the medical records and radiographs of all patients treated for mandibular fractures from 2015 to 2019. The data collected by using picture archiving and communicating system. Only records with mandibular angle or condyle fractures were included. The dependent variable was the presence of the fractures of the mandibular angle or condyle. The independent variables were epidemiological data, third molar characteristics, existence or absence of occlusal support. The data was analyzed through Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression. From a total of 187 mandibular fractures, 44 presented mandibular angle fracture and 29 shown condyle fractures. The average age was 40.34 ± 13.47 years. The absence of occlusal support increased the chance of condyle fractures by 5.1 times (95% CI 1.61–17.29). The lack of occlusal support is more associated with condyle fractures than the presence of occlusal support, regardless of third molar presence and characteristics and other variables evaluated.