Sains Malaysiana 42(1)(2013): 39–43

Mandibular Third Molar and Angle of Mandible Fractures:  An Unsolved Clinical Dilemma

(Gigi Geraham Bongsu dan Fraktur Sudut Rahang Mandibel:  Dilema Klinikal yang Belum Terjawab)

R.K. Rajandram, S. Nabil, R. Nordin & A.J. Nazimi*

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

M.S. Shareif, I. Ishak & J. Marhazlinda,

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya

59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 19 December 2011/Accepted: 20 May 2012

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between partially erupted impacted mandibular third and the risk for angle of mandible fracture. We designed a retrospective cohort study composed of patients who presented with mandible fractures. The predictor variables were the presence and angulation of the partially erupted impacted mandibular third molar and the distance between the apices of the mandibular third molar and the inferior border of the mandible. The outcome variable was the presence or absence of an angle fracture. Patients with a partially erupted impacted mandibular third molars had a 3.3 times greater chance of an angle fracture than patients without mandibular third molars (p<001). No significant association was found between the distance of the apices and angulation of the mandibular third molars to the inferior border of the mandible with angle of mandible fractures. Our findings highlight the need for enforcement of proper protective gear in young individuals who are at high risk for facial trauma.

Keywords: Angle of mandible; fracture; mandible; third molar; trauma

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menyiasat kaitan antara gigi geraham bongsu separuh tumbuh mandibel dengan risiko untuk mengalami kepatahan tulang mandibel. Satu kajian kohort retrospektif dalam kalangan pesakit yang mengalami kepatahan tulang mandibel telah dilakukan. Pemboleh ubah yang dikaji adalah kehadiran serta angulasi gigi geraham bongsu separuh tumbuh mandibel dan jarak di antara apeks gigi geraham bongsu mandibel kesempadan bawah tulang mandibel. Pesakit dengan gigi geraham bongsu separuh tumbuh mandibel mempunyai risiko 3.3 kali risiko lebih tinggi untuk mengalami kepatahan mandibel berbanding pesakit yang tiada gigi geraham bongsu bawah (p<001). Tiada perkaitan dapat dilihat antara jarak apeks gigi geraham bongsu mandibel ke sempadan bawah tulang mandibel dengan risiko untuk mengalami kepatahan mandibel. Penemuan ini membawa ke hadapan kepentingan pemakaian alat alat penyelamat muka terutamanya dalam kalangan individu yang terlibat di dalam aktiviti yang mempunyai risiko yang tinggi untuk mengalamai trauma muka.

Kata kunci: Fraktur; geraham bongsu; mandible; rahang bawah; trauma muka

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*Corresponding author; email: mnazimi@yahoo.com