PREVALENCE OF MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH CONDYLE AND CORONOID FRACTURES: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Hindumathi V.*, Jedidiah Fredrick Abisheg Britto, Lokesh Banumoorthy, Israel Nathanael and Jones Jayabalan

ABSTRACT

Background: Mandibular fractures, particularly those involving the condyle and coronoid processes, are common in facial trauma. While the status of mandibular third molars has been linked to fracture susceptibility, its role in condylar and coronoid fractures remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mandibular third molar status in patients with condyle and coronoid fractures and explore any potential associations. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at Tagore Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, from January 2019 to July 2024. Sixty-two patients with condylar fractures (59 patients), coronoid fractures (2 patients), and combined condylar and coronoid fractures (1 patient) were included. Data on demographic details, fracture site, and third molar status were collected from their clinical records and Orthopantomographs (OPG). The mandibular third molars were categorized as completely erupted, partially erupted, impacted, or missing. Impacted molars were further classified using Pell and Gregory and Winter’s classifications. Results: The majority of patients with condylar fractures had completely erupted third molars (49.9%), followed by partially erupted (16.1%), vertically impacted (14.5%), mesioangular impacted (3.2%), and missing (11.3%) molars. Coronoid fractures were less associated with third molars, with one case each of completely erupted and vertically impacted molars. The most common positional classification for impacted molars in condyle fractures was Pell and Gregory Class I, Position A. Coronoid fractures were primarily associated with Class I, Position B.

Keywords: Mandibular fractures, Condyle, Coronoid, Mandibular third molars, Orthopantomograph.