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Domestic violence against women remains one of the most difficult obstacles in the growth of civilization. The maxillofacial region is commonly involved, and injuries are complex to characterize and manage due to diverse presentations, underlying physiological changes and sometimes an association with pregnancy complications, creating a challenge for the operating surgeon. This case report discusses the clinical presentation of maxillofacial injuries sustained by a pregnant woman who also had obstetric complications. The management of such trauma by a multidisciplinary squad led by the maxillofacial surgery team is outlined. Increasing awareness among oral healthcare providers for the early identification of interpersonal abuse along with timely intervention and adequate referral is important. Close monitoring and follow‐up are also mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: An increasing number of elderly patients with implant‐prosthodontic rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible frequently show increased life activity, and consequently, a greater number of aged patients is at risk for maxillofacial trauma. The aim of this 3‐dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of the edentulous mandible (EM) with and without four splinted interforaminal implants exposed to three different trauma applications including assessment of different mandibular fracture risk areas. Materials and Methods: In a 3D‐FEA study design, EM with and without four splinted interforaminal implants were exposed to the application of 1000 N at the symphyseal, parasymphyseal, and mandibular angle region. On four pre‐defined superficial cortical mandibular areas (symphysis region, mental foramen region, angle of mandible, and mandibular neck) representing regions of interest (ROI), the von Mises stresses were measured for the three trauma applications. For all ROIs, stress values were evaluated and compared for the different force application sites as well as between EM models with and without interforaminal implants. Results: For EM with and without four splinted interformaninal implants, all traumatic loads generated the highest stress levels at the mandibular neck region. However, in the EM with four splinted interforaminal implants, an anterior symphyseal force application generated significantly (P <.01) increased stress values in the parasymphyseal (mental foramen) region than in EM without implants. For force applications at the parasymphaseal region (mental foramen) and at the angle of the mandible elevated, von Mises stress values were noted directly at the application sites without difference between edentulous mandibles with and without four interforaminal implants. Conclusion: In an edentulous mandible model with four splinted interforaminal implants, the condylar neck and the mental foramen represent the predilectional risk areas for mandibular fracture for both anterior symphyseal and lateral parasymphyseal force application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Active participation in sports is a risk factor for maxillofacial fractures. The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to survey and evaluate the characteristics of mandibular fractures, and dental injuries that occurred during the practice of baseball and softball in Sendai, Japan.Material and Methods: The records of 454 patients with maxillofacial fractures from three departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery across a period 14 years were analysed. Fifty-one patients with 56 mandible fractures and dental injuries that occurred playing baseball or softball were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Patients were divided according to age, gender, sites of fractures, mechanism of fractures and treatment methods.Results: There were 42 males and nine females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.7:1.0. The mean age was 19.9 years old (range: 13-47 years old). As for the site, body of the mandible fractures prevailed, followed by the condyle, symphysis and angle. Fractures were mostly caused by the impact of a ball (42; 82.4%), followed by collisions with another player (5; 9.8%) and direct strike of a bat (4; 7.8%). All patients with mandibular fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, except for six patients with condylar head fractures who were managed conservatively.Conclusions: The impact of a thrown ball against the batter's mandible can cause a condylar fracture when playing baseball and softball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Fractures of the mandible, especially the mandibular angle, are one of the most frequent types of injuries of the facial skeleton. In many cases, a retained third molar can be found in the line of the fracture. However, it remains unclear whether a relationship between third molars and mandibular angle fractures exists.Materials and Methods: Patients with isolated or combined fractures of the lower jaw between January 2001 and December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Electronic health records were investigated regarding the types of mandibular fractures, and panoramic radiographs were reviewed concerning the existence of third molars. In addition, a systematic review was performed to compare the findings of this study with existing data.Results: Six hundred and thirty-two patients were treated for mandibular fractures within the time frame. Two hundred and sixty-seven had a mandibular angle fracture. In 461 patients, panoramic radiographs were available, of which 45.6% did not have a third molar. About 3.8% were edentulous. There is a significant relationship between the existence of unerupted third molars and the occurrence of mandibular angle fractures (P < 0.001). No correlation exists for erupted third molars.Conclusions: Fractures of the mandibular angle are more likely to appear in patients with retained third molars which might be due to the reduced bone mass. Once the wisdom teeth have erupted, the bone structure is more solid and more resistant to external forces and the development of fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]