Mechanics in the Production of Mandibular Fractures: A Clinical, Retrospective Case-Control Study

Assessment of relationships between condylar fracture pattern and mandibular third molar position by panoramic radiography and computed tomography: A retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND/AIM

Although previous studies have revealed the influence of the mandibular third molar (M3) on mandibular condylar fracture risk and that the presence of M3 could result in different incidences of condylar and angle fractures, there have been no analyses of the influence of M3 on fracture patterns. Moreover, evaluations of M3 position using panoramic radiography have shown insufficient accuracy. This study investigated the relationship between condylar fracture patterns and M3 position using panoramic radiography and computed tomography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 280 patients with unilateral mandibular condylar fractures and ipsilateral M3 admitted to West China Hospital of Stomatology between January 2016 and June 2022. Patient medical records, panoramic radiographs, and computed tomography images were collected. The vertical and horizontal positions of M3 were classified using the Pell and Gregory system. M3 angulation was defined as the angle between the long axis of M3 and the mandibular occlusal plane. Condylar fracture patterns were classified as intracapsular (Types A-C) or extracapsular (neck and base). Data were analyzed using McNemar-Bowker test, Pearson chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Classification of M3 position differed significantly between panoramic radiography and computed tomography images (p < .05). There was a significant association between the mandibular condylar fracture pattern and M3 horizontal position on computed tomography (p < .05). Class I M3 position on computed tomography was associated with a higher incidence of intracapsular than extracapsular fractures, along with a higher incidence of Type B than base fractures; the opposite relationships were observed for Class II. No such association was identified on panoramic radiography.

CONCLUSIONS

Mandibular condylar fracture patterns were presumably influenced by M3 horizontal position on computed tomography. The imaging modality affected the classification of M3 position and subsequent analyses. Computed tomography is recommended for future studies to improve accuracy and reliability.

Retrospective clinical study of mandible fractures

Background

As society becomes more complex, the incidence of mandibular fractures is increasing. This study aimed to analyze the incidence and type and identify etiological factors of mandibular fractures to use them in future treatments.

Material and methods

Data were collected from 224 patients who visited the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Kyung Hee Medical Center dental hospital during a 6-year period (2016 to 2021). A logistic regression model was used for data analysis.

Results

In a total of 224 patients, 362 fractures were appeared. The average age of the patients was 34.1 years, with the highest incidence in the 20s. And the ratio between male and female was 4.09:1. Symphysis fractures were the most prevalent of all patients (52.7%), followed by unilateral condyle (37.1%), angle (36.2%), bilateral condyle (9.4%), body (8%), and coronoid (2.2%). The most common cause of fracture was daily-life activity (57.6%), followed by violence (30.4%), traffic accidents (8.5%), and syncope (3.6%). Patients with symphysis fracture were at low risk (OR < 1) of angle, body, and unilateral condyle fractures. Similarly, patients with unilateral fracture were at low risk (OR < 1) of symphysis, angle, body, and others site fractures. In contrast, patient with bilateral condyle fracture were at high risk (OR > 1) of coronoid fractures. And younger patients were high risk of mandibular angle fractures.

Conclusion

Through this study, it was confirmed that etiological factors of mandibular fractures were like those of previous studies.

The Influence of the Mandibular Chin Angle on the Occurrence of Mandibular Condylar Fracture: A Retrospective Study

Background

Condylar fractures are commonly associated with symphysis/parasymphysis fractures. Condylar fractures have been attributed to direct and indirect traumatic forces, the direction and magnitude of the forces, and the condylar anatomy. The chief aim of this study was to determine the association between the newly defined mandibular chin angle and the occurrence of condylar fractures.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to analyze two-dimensional computed tomography (2D CT) scans of patients with a history of chin trauma. The outcome was a symphysis/parasymphysis fracture with or without fracture of the mandibular condyle. The Mediff InstaRISPACS web-based platform was used to measure the chin angle. The cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius in the corresponding 2D CT midsagittal image was the standard reference plane to measure the chin angle. The SPSS Version 20 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis.

Results

The sample size included 120 2D CT scans of patients with symphysis/parasymphysis fractures (60 associated with condylar fractures and 60 without condylar fractures). The mean chin angle in the group without condylar fracture was 133.35 ± 3.87°, which was approximately 15° lesser than in the condylar fracture group (mean, 148.56 ± 5.49°), and these findings were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Individuals with a high chin angle are potentially at a higher risk of sustaining associated condylar fractures.

Incidence and management of mandibular fractures in a low-resource health facility in Ghana

Objectives

The mandible and other parts of the maxillofacial region suffer significant morbid injuries following road traffic accidents. Our study gives epidemiological description of mandibular fractures in Ghana and also evaluates the relevance of closed reduction and indirect fixation for managing mandibular fractures in low-resource health facilities in low-income countries like Ghana.

Patients and Methods This is a retrospective study involving 268 patients who reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Sunyani Regional Hospital with mandibular fractures from January 2010 to December 2019. Patient medical records were assessed for information on age, sex, fracture etiology, anatomic location of fracture, time of day of road traffic accident, and other associated injuries.

Results

A total of 268 patients were included in this study (males, 216 [80.6%]; females, 52 [19.4%]). Motor vehicular accident (MVA) was the leading cause of mandibular fractures (202 injuries, 75.4%). Other etiologies included assault (39, 14.6%), gunshot (13, 4.9%), falls (12, 4.5%), and industrial accidents (2, 0.7%). Of the 161 male cases caused by MVA, 121 (75.2%) occurred at night and in the evening while the remaining 40 (24.8%) occurred in the morning and afternoon. Among all managed 222 patients, 212 (79.1%) were treated with closed reduction and indirect fixation technique while 10 (3.7%) were treated with open reduction and direct fixation.

Conclusion

Closed reduction with indirect fixation could successfully be used to manage mandibular fractures in low resourced health facilities, especially in low-income countries. The poor lightening system on roads in Ghana is a major contributory factor to motor vehicular accidents.

Association Between Third Molar Impaction Status and Angle or Condylar Fractures of the Mandible: A Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlations between mandibular third molar impaction status and mandibular angle and condylar fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with unilateral and isolated angle or condylar fractures. Patient records and panoramic radiographs were evaluated. The predictor variables included the presence, impaction status (Pell and Gregory [P&G] classification), and angulation (Winter classification) of the third molar. The outcome variable was the type of fracture, whereas other predictor variables included demographic factors such as age, gender, and fracture etiology. Bivariate (χ² test) and logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between variables and the outcome.

RESULTS

The sample was composed of 164 angle fracture (mean age, 31.6 ± 12.3 years; 83.5% male) and 115 condylar fracture (mean age, 41.9 ± 16.8 years; 76.5% male) patients. A third molar was present in 72.6% of the angle fracture group and 54.8% of the condylar fracture group (P = .002). Deep impactions (classes IC, IIC, IIIB, and IIIC) exhibited an odds ratio (OR) of 3.60 for angle fractures (P < .001). No association was found between tooth angulations and the type of fracture. According to logistic regression analysis, older age (adjusted OR, 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.07), P&G class I impaction (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.20), and P&G class A impaction (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.24) were significantly associated with condylar fractures whereas the presence of a third molar (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.76) or P&G class B impaction (OR, 0.287; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.69) was associated with angular fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

P&G class II or III and class B impaction status was significantly associated with angle fractures, whereas missing or fully erupted (class IA) third molars significantly correlated with condylar fractures.

Relationship between mandible fractures and third molars

Background

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between third molar (M3) and mandibular fracture.

Methods

Patients with unilateral mandibular angle or condyle fractures between 2008 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Medical records were reviewed regarding the location of fractures, and panoramic radiographs were reviewed to discern the presence and position of ipsilateral mandibular third molars (M3). We measured the bony area of the mandibular angle (area A) and the bony area occupied by the M3 (area B) to calculate the true mandibular angle bony area ratio (area A–B/area A× 100).

Results

The study consisted of 129 patients, of which 60 (46.5%) had angle fractures and 69 (53.5%) had condyle fractures. The risk of angle fracture was higher in the presence of M3 (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; p< 0.05) and the risk of condyle fracture was lower in the presence of M3 (OR, 0.45; p< 0.05), than in the absence of M3. The risk of angle fracture was higher in the presence of an impacted M3 (OR, 0.3; p< 0.001) and the risk of condyle fracture was lower in the presence of an impacted M3 (OR, 3.32; p< 0.001), than in the presence of a fully erupted M3. True mandibular angle bony area ratio was significantly lower in the angle fractures than in the condyle fractures (p= 0.003).

Conclusion

Angle fractures had significantly lower true mandibular angle bony area ratios than condyle fractures. True mandibular angle bony area ratio, a simple and inexpensive method, could be an option to predict the mandibular fracture patterns.

Clinical, retrospective case-control study on the mechanics of obstacle in mouth opening and malocclusion in patients with maxillofacial fractures

This study aims to identify and distinguish various factors that may influence the clinical symptoms (limited mouth opening and malocclusion) in patients with maxillofacial fractures. From January 2000 to December 2009, 963 patients with maxillofacial fractures were enrolled in this statistical study to aid in evaluating the association between various risk factors and clinical symptoms. Patients with fractured posterior mandibles tended to experience serious limitation in mouth opening. Patients who sustained coronoid fractures have the highest risk of serious limitation in mouth opening (OR = 9.849), followed by arch fractures, maxilla fractures, condylar fractures, zygomatic complex fractures and symphysis fractures. Meanwhile, the combined fracture of zygomatic arch and condylar process results in normal or mild mouth opening. High risks of sustaining malocclusion are preceded by the fracture of nasal bone (OR = 3.067), mandible, condylar neck/base, combined fracture of zygomatic arch and condylar process, mandibular body, bilateral condylar, dental trauma, mandibular ramus, symphysis, mandibular angle and mid-facial. Patients who experienced serious limitation in mouth opening are treated with surgery more frequently (OR = 2.118). No relationship exists between the treatment options and the patients with malocclusion.

Incidence and Pattern of Mandible Fractures in the Madinah Region: A Retrospective Study

Objectives

The objective of the study is to study the incidence and pattern of mandible fractures in the holy city of Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over a retrospective period of 3 years from 2013 (1434H) to 2016 (1436H) and to compare the results with those from other regions of Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

Materials and Methods

Relevant data of patients admitted to the King Fahad Hospital, Madinah with a fracture of the mandible during the study were collected from their medical records and radiographs. The age, gender, etiology, role of the patient, site, and number of fractures in the patients were evaluated. The data were analyzed by standard statistical methods.

Results

A total of 197 patients with fracture of the mandible were admitted in the period of the study by the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Department, King Fahad Hospital, Madinah. There were 165 male and 32 female patients. The ages ranged from 3 to 86 years with a mean of 24 years. A total of 260 fractures of Mandible were documented. The largest number (113) of patients was found in the age group between 16 and 30 years. Trauma caused by motor vehicle road traffic accidents (RTAs) was the main etiology of the fractures followed by falls and assault. The majority of the patients were in the role of vehicle drivers. The condylar anatomical site of mandible was most frequently affected and constituted the largest number (103) of fractures followed by the angle (51), parasymphysis (45), and then by the body (23) of the mandible. Dentoalveolar fractures were present in 22 cases. Very less number of coronoid fractures (7), followed by those of the ramus (5), and least number at the symphysis (4) of the mandible were found.

Conclusion

RTA was the most common etiology for trauma and fracture of the mandible. The males outnumbered the female patients, the largest number of patients with trauma and mandible fracture was found in the age group between 16 and 30 years and frequency of condylar fractures was higher.

Risk factor analysis and idiographic features of mandibular coronoid fractures: A retrospective case-control study

This study aimed to identify and distinguish various factors that may influence the occurrence of mandibular coronoid fractures. From January 2000 to December 2009, a total of 1131 patients with maxillofacial fractures were enrolled in this statistical study to evaluate the association between mandibular coronoid fractures and other risk factors. Among these patients, 869 had mandibular fractures, and 25 sustained a total of 25 coronoid fractures. More than half (13 of 25 patients, 52%) of the coronoid fractures in these patients were caused by motor vehicle accidents. Among these coronoid fractures, seven were associated with other mandibular fractures, and 23 (92.0%) were related to midfacial fractures. The most common site of midfacial fracture was the zygomatic arch (20 patients, 80%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the most important influencing factor was the zygomatic arch fracture (odds ratio, 9.033; 95% confidence interval, 1.658, 49.218; p = 0.011). The majority of coronoid fracture fragments (19 of 25, 76%) were removed during operation. The most commonly used incision is hemicoronal or bicoronal approach (16 of 19, 84.2%).

A paediatric case of bilateral mandibular condyle fracture presenting with bloody otorrhoea following trauma

A 7-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with bilateral bloody otorrhoea after falling from his scooter. Skull base fracture was suspected. CT showed no evidence of skull base fracture but bilateral mandibular condyle and external acoustic canals fractures. We report this case to illustrate a rare possibility of bilateral external acoustic canal fracture associated with condylar fracture in trauma patients presented with bloody otorrhoea.

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.

Correlation between Condylar Fracture Pattern after Parasymphyseal Impact and Condyle Morphological Features: A Retrospective Analysis of 107 Chinese Patients

Background:

The treatment of the condylar fractures is difficult. Factors that result in the fractures are complex. The objective of this morphometric study was to investigate the relationship between condylar fracture patterns and condylar morphological characteristics.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 107 patients admitted to the West China Hospital of Stomatology for bilateral condylar fractures caused by parasymphyseal impact. The patients were divided into five groups according to the type of condylar fracture. Ten parameters were evaluated on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction mandible models through the Mimics 16.0 (Materialize Leuven, Belgium) anthropometry toolkit. Each parameter of the 3D models was analyzed using multivariate analysis. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the five groups.

Results:

The results showed that the differences of condylar head width (M1), condylar neck width (M3), the ratio of condylar head width to condylar anteroposterior diameter (M1/M2), the ratio of condylar head width to condylar neck width (M1/M3), the ratio of condylar height to ramus height (M8/M7), and mandibular angle (M10) were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Type A condylar head fractures were positively associated with M1 (compared to Type B: OR =1.627, 95% CI: 1.123, 2.359; compared to Type C: OR = 1.705, 95% CI: 1.170, 2.484) and M1/M2 (compared to Type B: OR =1.034, 95% CI: 0.879, 2.484). Type B condylar head fractures were negatively associated with M10 (compared to Type C: OR = 0.909, 95% CI: 0.821, 1.007). Condylar neck fractures were negatively associated with M3 (compared to condylar head: OR = 0.382, CI: 0.203, 0.720; compared to condylar base: OR = 0.436, 95% CI: 0.218, 0.874), and positively associated with M1/M3 (compared to condylar head: OR = 1.229, 95% CI: 1.063, 1.420 compared to condylar base: OR = 1.223, 95% CI: 1.034, 1.447). Condylar base fractures were positively associated with M10 (OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.008, 1.189) and negatively associated with M8/M7 (OR = 0.855, 95% CI: 0.763, 0.959) as compared with condylar head fractures.

Conclusions:

Condylar fracture pattern is associated with the anatomical features of the condyles when a fracture occurs from parasymphyseal impact.