Morbidity of Teeth in Mandibular Fracture Lines - A Retrospective Study

Tooth in the line of a mandibular fracture: Retain it or remove it? Clinical case report

Defining the prognosis and treatment plan for teeth in the line of a mandibular fracture is a challenge for the maxillofacial surgeon. The periodontal ligament may provide a communication with the oral cavity and become a pathway for infection. There is currently no consensus on the management of teeth in mandibular fracture lines. This report outlines a case where a tooth was successfully retained in the line of fracture as well as providing a review of the literature on the best-accepted treatments for this scenario.

Evaluation of the Prognosis of the Teeth in the Mandibular Fracture Line

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of the teeth in the mandibular fracture line and to analyze the relationship between the degree of displacement of fracture fragments, the relationship of the fracture line to the periodontium, and the relationship between the condition of the teeth at the first postoperative (post-op) year.

METHODS

A total of 60 teeth from 38 patients (11 female and 27 male) who had erupted teeth in the line of mandibular fracture and were treated with open reduction were examined. The data were collected from the patients' clinical records and radiographs. Age at the time of injury, gender, cause of trauma, site of fracture, the relationship of the fracture line to the periodontium, the degree of displacement of fracture fragments, and the condition of the teeth in the line of the fracture at the first post-op year were evaluated.

RESULTS

The degree of displacement of fracture fragments had an effect on the condition of the teeth at the first post-op year (P = .036) and the regions of the mandible had an effect on the degree of displacement of the fracture fragments (P = .000). The survival rate of the pulp of the teeth was 69.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

A preventive approach should be preferred for teeth in the mandibular fracture line. Retained teeth in the fracture line should be monitored clinically and radiologically for at least 1 year, and unnecessary endodontic treatments should be avoided.

Prognosis of teeth in mandibular fracture lines

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Teeth in a jaw fracture line, because of the presence of the periodontal ligament, may communicate with the oral cavity. There are no guidelines for the management of teeth in mandibular fracture lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to dental problems with teeth involved in mandibular fracture lines and to determine the best treatment option.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study was based on the medical and radiographic records of patients with mandibular fractures. The relationships among the patient's age, gender, smoking history, amount of bony displacement, surgery, trauma-surgery period, apical involvement, tooth mobility, and periodontal status were investigated. Group comparisons were performed using the chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U-test.

RESULT

A total of 238 patients (247 fracture lines) with mandibular fractures including a tooth in the line of the fracture were examined. Post-operative dental complications occurred in 42 cases (17.0%). Extraction of related teeth occurred in 34 cases (80.9%) compared to eight cases (19.0%) related to root canal therapy. This study defined "dental problem" as "a case with a tooth extracted or endodontically treated after trauma." The variables associated with an increased risk of dental problems were the amount of bony displacement (p < .01), tooth mobility (p < .01), and pre-existing marginal alveolar bone loss (p = .027).

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of teeth in mandibular fracture lines was related to tooth mobility, periodontal state, and the amount of bony displacement.