Is there a relationship between the presence of external root resorption in second molars adjacent to impacted mandibular third molars with awake bruxism and masticatory muscle activity?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess whether awake bruxism and masticatory muscle activity could be related to external root resorption (ERR) in second molars adjacent to impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients, with requests for a cone-beam, computed tomography, were divided into two groups: ERR (patients with ERR in the second molar, n = 30), and control group (n = 30). Awake bruxism was assessed through the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC) and an ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the masseter and anterior temporal muscle function. Normality and homogeneity of variances were demonstrated. Descriptive analysis was performed, using the T-test and Chi-square test to compare the characteristics of the groups. A multiple regression model was performed. RESULTS: The ERR group presented more non-functional oral activities related to awake bruxism than the control group, according to OBC (p = 0.027) and EMA (p = 0.035). In addition, the ERR group had higher EMG activity than the control group in rest and isotonic protocols (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Awake bruxism and greater masticatory muscle activity seem to be related to the presence of ERR in second molars adjacent to impacted mandibular third molars. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of the present study can reinforce the theory that triggering ERR in the second molars adjacent to impacted mandibular third molars may be related to mechanical forces coming from the masticatory function.

Prediction of maxillary canine impaction based on panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to establish a large sample-based prediction model for maxillary canine impaction based on linear and angular measurements on panoramic radiographs and to validate this model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with at least two panoramic radiographs taken between the ages of 7 and 14 years with an interval of minimum 1 year and maximum 3 years (T1 and T2) were selected from the Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospital Leuven database. Linear and angular measurements were performed at T1. From 2361 records, 572 patients with unilateral or bilateral canine impaction were selected at T1. Of those, 306 patients were still untreated at T2 and were used as study sample. To construct the prediction model, logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: The parameters analyzed through backward selection procedure were canine to midline angle, canine to first premolar angle, canine cusp to midline distance, canine cusp to maxillary plane distance, sector, quadratic trends for continuous predictors, and all pairwise interactions. The final model was applied to calculate the likelihood of impaction and yielded an area under the curve equal to 0.783 (95% CI [0.742-0.823]). The cut-off point was fixed on 0.342 with a sensitivity of 0.800 and a specificity of 0.598. The cross-validated area under the curve was equal to 0.750 (95% CI [0.700, 0.799]). CONCLUSION: The prediction model based on the above mentioned parameters measured on panoramic radiographs is a valuable tool to decide between early intervention and regular follow-up of impacted canines.

Factors associated with spontaneous angular changes of impacted mandibular third molars as a result of second molar protraction.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify significant factors affecting the spontaneous angular changes of impacted mandibular third molars as a result of second molar protraction. Temporary skeletal anchorage devices in the missing mandibular first molar (ML-6) or missing deciduous mandibular second molar (ML-E) with missing succedaneous premolar spaces provided traction. METHODS: Forty-one mandibular third molars of 34 patients (10 male and 24 female; mean age 18.3 ± 3.7 years) that erupted after second molar protraction were included in this study. They were classified into upright (U) and tilted (T) groups. Linear and angular measurements were performed at the time of treatment initiation (T1) and of ML-6 or ML-E space closure (T2). Regression analyses were used to identify significant factors related to third molar uprighting. RESULTS: Nolla stage (odds ratio [OR] 4.1), sex (OR 0.003 for male), third molar angulation at T1 (OR 1.1), missing tooth space (OR 0.006), rate of third molar eruption (OR 23.3), and rate of second molar protraction (OR 0.2) significantly affected third molar uprighting. Age, third molar angulation at T1, rate of third molar eruption, and rate of second molar protraction were significant factors for predicting third molar angulation at T2. CONCLUSIONS: Available space for third molar eruption before and after second molar protraction is not associated with uprighting of erupting third molars. Older patients whose third molars are in greater Nolla stage, are in a more upright position at T1, and have a greater eruption rate have a greater chance for third molar uprighting. Alternatively, an increase in second molar protraction rate results in mesial tipping of the third molars.

Relationship between the Position of Impacted Third Molars and External Root Resorption of Adjacent Second Molars: A Retrospective CBCT Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Impacted third molars (ITM) are the most commonly-impacted teeth. There is a risk for ITM to cause a number of pathological conditions, and external root resorption (ERR) of adjacent teeth is one of the most prevalent. Retaining or prophylactic extraction of ITM is a polemic topic. External root resorption of adjacent teeth is one of possible indications for prophylactic removal of ITM. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between external root resorption (ERR) on the distal aspect of second molars' roots and positional parameters of ITM. Methods: Cone beam computed tomography scans of 109 patients (41 males, 68 females; mean age 26.4 ± 7.9 years) with 254 ITM (131 in the maxilla and 123 in the mandible) were retrospectively analyzed. Positional parameters of ITM (mesio-distal position, angulation, impaction depth, and available eruption space) were evaluated. The presence, location, and depth of ERR of adjacent second molars were assessed. Results: Analysis showed a relationship between ITM impaction depth, mesial inclination angle, and the presence of ERR. Mesial inclination angle of more than 13.6° increased the odds of ERR occurrence by 5.439 (95% CI, 2.97-9.98). ITM presence at the level of ½ of roots of the adjacent second molar or more apically increased the odds of ERR occurrence by 2.218 (95% CI, 1.215-4.048). No significant correlation was detected between the occurrence of ERR and patient age, gender, or the available eruption space in the mandible. Depth of ERR did not depend on its location. Conclusions: Incidence of ERR in second molars is significantly associated with mesial inclination and a deep position of ITM.

Effects of impaction severity of treated palatally displaced canines on periodontal outcomes: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Even though periodontal health was suggested to be not related to the traction technique, some other variables might influence the esthetic outcome of palatally displaced canines (PDC) when aligned, such as the initial position and impaction rate of the canine before treatment. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the existing correlations between periodontal health outcome of PDC after their exposure and alignment and their initial position identified according to the different rates of impaction severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The final sample enrolled 293 PDC which satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the canines were exposed using CT by the same oral surgeon and orthodontic traction was applied using the easy cuspid device followed by fixed appliance treatment. Image analysis and periodontal status evaluation were performed for all PDCs. RESULTS: α-Angle and d-distance showed no significant differences in the periodontal outcome of PDCs after treatment. The only tested variable showing significant differences was S, since canines with CEJ visible at the end of the treatment presented sectors with a mean score of 1.67, which was significantly different (P < 0.05) when compared to the S-sector for the canines that showed PD < 2 mm at the end of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic variables as α-Angle and d-distance seem to not influence the periodontal outcome of the treated impacted canine regardless of the amount of gravity. On the contrary, S-sector might play a significant role when higher rates of gravity are present suggesting the possibility in few cases for periodontal damage at the end of treatment.

Maxillary Central Incisor Root Resorption due to Canine Impaction after Trauma. Is the Canine Substitution for Maxillary Incisors a suitable Treatment Option? Two Case Reports.

OBJECTIVE: Canine impaction is a dental anomaly involving intraosseous displacement of the unerupted tooth. This situation is of significant importance causing orthodontic, surgical and interceptive problems. Trauma in the incisor area is a possible cause of the displacement of the tooth bud of the permanent canine resulting in the deviated eruption path. The aim of this article is to present two clinical cases with diagnosis of maxillary canine displacement and impaction in the incisor region after a traumatic injury during childhood, discussing treatment possibilities and outcomes achieved after orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article ectopic maxillary canines migration in the central incisor area after a traumatic injury to the anterior upper teeth are described. The path of eruption of the canine can cause severe central incisor root resorption. Treatment strategy established for the case reports described involves orthodontic space opening, extraction of the central incisor, uncovering the impacted canine and orthodontic traction of the tooth in place of central incisor. Modification of crown morphology and color were essential to obtain an aesthetic and function outcome. RESULTS: The patients finished treatment with normal and stable occlusion, an adequate width of attached gingiva and good aesthetic results. CONCLUSION: Authors suggest that might have been a possible connection between the trauma of primary dentition causing the displacement of the tooth bud of permanent canine and the deviated path of eruption. For the growing patients with a combination of dental trauma and ectopic eruption, maxillary canine to replace a central incisor was a viable option, offering excellent aesthetic results without recourse to prosthetic replacement.

Root resorption of maxillary incisors after traction of unilateral vs bilateral impacted canines with reinforced anchorage.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the root resorption (RR) of maxillary incisors after traction of unilateral vs bilateral impacted canines with reinforced anchorage. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study included 60 cone-beam computed tomography scans of patients with maxillary impacted canines: 30 scans taken before and 30 taken after orthodontic traction with nickel-titanium coil springs. Two groups were formed according to the impaction condition: 15 with unilateral maxillary impacted canines and 15 with bilateral maxillary impacted canines. Three trained orthodontists made the measurements. Demographic variables, occlusal characteristics, skeletal class, and measurements related to canine impaction were collected from the clinical history, dental models, and radiographs of each patient. RR (mm and mm2) for each maxillary incisor was measured in 3 dimensions. Independent t or Mann-Whitney U tests were used, depending on data normality. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of all variables (predictors) on RR (α = 0.05). RESULTS: RR did not show significant differences between groups in any section (P > 0.05). No subject had RR greater than 2 mm or 5 mm2. The specific influence of some predictor variables varied depending on the type of maxillary incisor. CONCLUSIONS: RR of maxillary incisors after traction of unilateral vs bilateral impacted canines with reinforced anchorage was similar and is not a risk to the integrity of the maxillary incisor root.

Eruption of Impacted Teeth in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients following Alveolar Bone Graft.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the eruption of impacted teeth in cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) after alveolar bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research was carried out through a cross-sectional study at the Craniofacial Rehabilitation Center of the University General Hospital of the University of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Variables related to cleft, cleft side, gender, age, laterality of cleft, impacted teeth, and orthodontic traction were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients treated at the institution from 2004 to 2011 had their charts retrospectively reviewed. They were 54.7% male and 45.2% female. The group aged 9 to 11 years was most affected, representing 59.5% of cases. A unilateral cleft was the most prevalent craniofacial anomaly (85.7%). A total of 57 impacted teeth were observed. Maxillary canines were the most commonly impacted teeth (97.6%) and the most frequently identified in patients with a transforamen incisor cleft (TIC) (76.3%). Orthodontic traction was required for both impacted maxillary canines and impacted lateral incisors (64.3 and 35.7% respectively). The orthodontic traction was required only in patients with a TIC (p = 0.0101). CONCLUSION: The canine teeth were the most commonly impacted teeth, found mainly in patients with a TIC. After placement of the alveolar bone graft in patients with a preforamen incisor cleft (PIC), all impacted teeth erupted spontaneously. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An impacted tooth can have negative consequences on a patient's quality of life. Thus, a survey evaluating the incidence and prognosis of impacted teeth after an alveolar bone graft for CLP was important.

Does an Association Exist Between the Presence of Lower Third Molar and Mandibular Angle Fractures?: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: The current data suggest that the presence of lower third molars predisposes the patient to a greater risk of mandibular angle fracture. Thus, the present review sought to determine whether an association exists between the presence of a lower third molar and the occurrence of a mandibular angle fracture in adults and to assess the influence of third molar position according to the Pell and Gregory classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of analytical observational studies. The present review included all reports of the relationship between mandibular angle fractures and lower third molars. No restriction regarding year, language, or publication status was used. The review protocol was registered at the PROSPERO database (registration no. CRD42016047057). Electronic searches unrestricted for publication period and language were performed in the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences databases. Google Scholar and OpenGrey databases were used to search the "gray literature," avoiding selection and publication biases. The entire search was performed by 2 eligibility reviewers. Association and proportion meta-analyses were planned for the studies with sufficient data. The primary predictor variable was the relationship between the presence of a lower third molar and the development of mandibular angle fractures. The secondary outcome variables were the vertical and horizontal positions of the lower third molar, according to the Pell and Gregory classification and their relationship to the susceptibility to developing a mandibular angle fracture. RESULTS: The search strategies resulted in 411 studies, from which 16 were selected for qualitative and quantitative review. The association meta-analysis included all the selected studies and showed that patients with lower third molars are 3.16 times more likely to develop mandibular angle fractures. The proportion meta-analysis included 5 studies and showed that the overall rate of mandibular angle fractures was 51.58% and that positions III and C are more likely to result in fracture, with a rate of 59.84 and 63.67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study have shown that the presence of impacted third molars increases by 3.16 times the risk of mandibular angle fractures in adults, with the greatest risk present when third molars are classified as IIIC according to Pell and Gregory. The available evidence is not sufficiently robust to determine whether third molar presence or the level of impaction is the main causative factor for the occurrence of mandibular angle fractures.

The Relationship between Dental Follicle Width and Maxillary Impacted Canines' Descriptive and Resorptive Features Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between dental follicle width and maxillary impacted canines' descriptive and resorptive features with three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: The study comprised 102 patients with cone-beam computed tomography 3D images and a total of 140 impacted canines. The association between maxillary impacted canine dental follicle width and the variables of gender, impaction side (right and left), localization of impacted canine (buccal, central, and palatal), and resorption of the adjacent laterals was compared. Measurements were analyzed with Student's t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney U statistical test. RESULTS: According to gender, no statistically significant differences were found in the follicle size of the maxillary impacted canine between males and females (p > 0.05). Widths of the follicles were determined for the right and left impaction sides, and no statistically significant relation was found (p > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between root resorption degrees of lateral incisors and maxillary impacted canine follicle width (p < 0.05). Statistically significant higher follicle width values were present in degree 2 (mild) resorption than in degree 1 (no) and degree 3 (moderate) resorption samples (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant correlation was found between follicle width and the variables of gender, impaction side, and localization of maxillary impacted canines. Our study could not confirm that increased dental follicle width of the maxillary impacted canines exhibited more resorption risk for the adjacent lateral incisors.

A novel method in the removal of impacted mandibular third molar: buccal drainage.

Food impaction after impacted mandibular third molar extraction is a serious problem that should not be ignored. Incomplete suturing of the distal incision in the conventional method is the main cause of food impaction and delayed wound healing. The present study introduces a novel suture and drainage technology that requires hermetic suturing of the distal incision and rubber drainage for buccal drainage. 76 patients with horizontally/mesially impacted third molars (bilateral) were enrolled in this prospective study. An impacted tooth on one side of each patient was extracted by occlusal drainage using the conventional method, whereas the other side tooth was extracted by buccal drainage using the novel method. The differences in wound healing, facial swelling, bleeding and dry socket between the two sides of each patient were compared postoperatively, and the trends for patient selection of the surgical method were also compared. The results indicated that buccal drainage had obvious advantages in wound healing and reduced the risk of postoperative bleeding, and most patients preferred this technique; there were no significant differences in postoperative facial swelling or pain. Thus, buccal drainage can solve the problem of long-term food impaction induced by traditional incision postoperatively and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Orthodontic uprighting of a horizontally impacted third molar and protraction of mandibular second and third molars into the missing first molar space for a patient with posterior crossbites.

A 22-year-old woman came with a unilateral missing mandibular first molar and buccal crossbite. The open space was closed by protraction of the mandibular left second molar and uprighting and protraction of the horizontally impacted third molar using temporary skeletal anchorage devices, and her buccal crossbite was corrected with modified palatal and lingual appliances. The total active treatment time was 36 months. Posttreatment records after 9 months showed excellent results with a stable occlusion.

Influence of third molars in mandibular fractures. Part 2: mandibular condyle-a meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the influence of the presence and position of mandibular third molars in mandibular condyle fractures. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and VHL, through January 2016. The eligibility criteria included observational studies. The search strategy resulted in 704 articles. Following the selection process, 13 studies were included in the systematic review and 11 in the meta-analysis. In terms of the risk of bias analysis, six studies presented ≤6 stars in the Newcastle-Ottawa scale assessment. The presence of a mandibular third molar decreased the probability of condylar fracture (cross-sectional and case-control studies: odds ratio (OR) 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.40, I2=87.8%; case-control studies: OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.16-0.58, I2=91.6%). The third molar positions most favourable to condylar fracture according to the Pell and Gregory classification are class A (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.61, I2=0%) and class I (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.77, I2=32.8%). Class B (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97, I2=56.0%) and class II (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.87, I2=0%) act as protective factors for condylar fracture. The results suggest that the presence of a mandibular third molar decreases the chance of condylar fracture and that the positions of the third molar most favourable for condylar fracture are classes A and I, with classes B and II acting as protective factors.

Influence of third molars in mandibular fractures. Part 1: mandibular angle-a meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the influence of the presence and position of mandibular third molars on angle fractures. An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and VHL databases, through January 2016. The eligibility criteria included observational studies. The search strategy resulted in 704 articles. Following the selection process, 35 studies were included in the systematic review and 28 in the meta-analysis. Twenty studies presented a score of ≤6 stars in the Newcastle-Ottawa scale assessment, indicating a risk of bias in the analysis. The presence of a mandibular third molar increases the chance of an angle fracture (case-control and cross-sectional studies: odds ratio (OR) 3.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.02-4.85, I2=83.1%; case-control studies: OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.57-4.16, I2=81.3%). The third molar positions most favourable to angle fracture according to the Pell and Gregory classification are class B (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06-1.96, I2=87.2%) and class II (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.36-2.04, I2=72.4%). Class A (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45-0.81, I2=87.1%) and class I (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71, I2=89.4%) act as protective factors for angle fracture. The results suggest that the presence of the third molar increases the chance of angle fracture by 3.27 times and that the most favourable positions of the third molar for angle fracture are classes B and II, whilst classes A and I act as protective factors.

Effect of malocclusion severity on oral health-related quality of life and food intake ability in a Korean population.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of malocclusion severity on oral health-related quality of life and food intake ability in adult patients, controlling for sex, age, and the type of dental clinic visited. METHODS: The sample consisted of 472 Korean patients (156 male, 316 female) with a mean age of 21.1 (SD, 8.6) years in a dental hospital and a private clinic. The correlations between the Korean version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14K), subjective food intake ability (FIA) for 5 key foods, and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need-Dental Health Component (IOTN-DHC) were investigated. RESULTS: The mean IOTN-DHC and OHIP-14K scores were significantly higher for the dental hospital patients than for the private clinic patients (IOTN-DHC, P <0.001; OHIP-14K, P <0.05). Malocclusion severity was significantly higher in male than in female subjects (P <0.001). Older patients perceived their oral health-related quality of life more negatively than did the teens (P <0.001). As the severity of the malocclusion increased, oral health-related quality of life and masticatory function worsened (OHIP-14K, P <0.001; FIA, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As the severity of the malocclusion and the age of the patients increased, oral health-related quality of life and masticatory function relatively deteriorated. This finding provides evidence that severe malocclusions are associated with lower quality of life and less masticatory efficiency in older patients.

Impact of the lower third molar presence and position on the fragility of mandibular angle and condyle: A Three-dimensional finite element study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influences of the presence and position of a lower third molar (M3) on the fragility of mandibular angle and condyle, using finite element analysis. From computed tomographic scans of a human mandible with normally erupted M3, two additional virtual models were generated: a mandibular model with partially impacted M3 and a model without M3. Two cases of impact were considered: a frontal and a lateral blow. The results are based on the chromatic analysis of the distributed von Mises and principal stresses, and calculation of their failure indices. In the frontal blow, the angle region showed the highest stress in the case with partially impacted M3, and the condylar region in the case without M3. Compressive stresses were dominant but caused no failure. Tensile stresses were recorded in the retromolar areas, but caused failure only in the case with partially impacted M3. In the lateral blow, the stress concentrated at the point of impact, in the ipsilateral and contralateral angle and condylar regions. The highest stresses were recorded in the case with partially impacted M3. Tensile stresses caused the failure on the ipsilateral side, whereas compressive stresses on the contralateral side.

An interview with Sylvia Frazier-Bowers.

Dr. Frazier-Bowers is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), in the Department of Orthodontics. She received a BA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a DDS from the University of Illinois, Chicago. After completing the NIH Dentist-Scientist Program at UNC-CH in Orthodontics (Certificate, 97') and Genetics and Molecular Biology (PhD, 99'), she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (UTHSC), in the Department of Orthodontics. Leadership positions include president of local NC-AADR (North Carolina (2005-2006); director of the AADR Craniofacial Biology group (CBG) 2004-2007; IADR/AADR councilor for NC-AADR (2007, 2008, 2012) and for the CBG (2012-2015); member of Southern Association of Orthodontists Scientific Affairs Committee (2005-2013) and the American Association of Orthodontists Council on Scientific Affairs (2014 ­ Present). Dr. Frazier-Bowers also serves various editorial boards including the Journal of Dental Research and the Scientific Advisory board for the Consortium on Orthodontic Advances in Science and Technology. Her current role as faculty at UNC-CH includes conducting human genetic studies to determine the etiology of inherited tooth disorders, mentoring students at all levels, teaching graduate and pre-doctoral level Growth and Development courses and treating patients in the UNC School of Dentistry faculty practice in Orthodontics.

Evaluation of dental age and associated developmental anomalies in subjects with impacted mandibular canines.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the rate of dental development and the occurrence of selected developmental anomalies related to shape, number, structure, and position of teeth between subjects with impacted mandibular canines and those with normally erupted canines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pretreatment records of 42 subjects diagnosed with mandibular canines impaction (impaction group: IG) were compared with those of 84 subjects serving as a control reference sample (control group: CG). Independent t-tests were used to compare mean dental ages between the groups. Intergroup differences in distribution of subjects based on the rate of dental development and occurrence of selected dental anomalies were assessed using χ(2) tests. Odds of late, normal, and early developers and various categories of developmental anomalies between the IG and the CG were evaluated in terms of odds ratios. RESULTS: Mean dental age for the IG was lower than that for the CG in general. Specifically, this was true for girls (P < .05). Differences in the distribution of the subjects based on the rate of dental development and occurrence of positional anomalies also reached statistical significance (P < .05). The IG showed a higher frequency of late developers and positional anomalies compared with controls (odds ratios 3.00 and 2.82, respectively; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis was rejected. We identified close association of female subjects in the IG with retarded dental development compared with the female orthodontic patients. Increased frequency of positional developmental anomalies was also remarkable in the IG.

Tooth in the line of angle fractures: the impact in the healing process. A retrospective study of 112 patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the prophylactic removal of mandibular third molars (TM) in fracture lines to facilitate healing. Recent evidence suggests that poor healing is attributed to the limited use of antimicrobials, delayed care and semi-rigid fixation as a treatment method, favoring retention of TM. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of all patients presenting with mandibular angle fractures at the Hippokration General Hospital of Athens (2006-2011) was designed to examine the association between the presence versus absence of TMs in the line of mandibular fractures and the fracture healing process. Development of complications during the healing process was the outcome of interest. Additional factors considered were patient age, sex, and fracture etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from a retrospective chart review, including information from clinical and radiological examinations. The analytical sample included 112 patients with 121 angle fractures. Bivariate methods including Fisher's exact and chi-square tests were used to test the association between TM presence in the fracture line and healing complications. CONCLUSION: This study found no association between the presence of mandibular TM in the fracture line and postoperative complications and the healing process when combined with light intermaxillary fixation for 15 days.