A study of mandibular angle fractures caused by sports and relation to the position of the third molars

Abstract

We examined the relation between the incidence of mandibular angle fractures caused by sports activities and the presence and status of the mandibular third molars. The sample for the primary study consisted of 30 patients with sports-related mandibular fractures. Their medical records and panoramic radiographs were studied retrospectively. The presence and degree of impaction of the mandibular third molars were assessed. The sample for the second study consisted of 63 healthy rugby players. Their mandibular third molars were classified and assessed by the same measures.
The incidence of angle fractures was found to be significantly higher in patients with third molars than in those without third molars (p<0.05).
Although there were no significant differences between the degree of impaction and angle fractures, the latter tended to occur in the group with a higher impaction score. The proportion of rugby players with third molars was significantly higher than the proportion without third molars (p<0.001). A high proportion of the young athletes (75.5%) was considered to belong to the high risk group.
This study suggests that mandibular angle fractures due to sports-related injuries are influenced by the presence and status of the third molars. We recommend the removal of mandibular third molars in young athletes in the high risk group.