An analysis of third molars involved in the line of mandibular fractures

An analysis of 47 third molars in the line of mandibular fractures was undertaken. The results were as follows:1) There were 31 impacted teeth and 16 erupted teeth among the total of 47 third molars. Thirteen of these third molars were extracted; 11 teeth were impacted, and 2 teeth had erupted. Subluxation had occurred in 2 almost all extracted third molars.2) Five of the 47 third molars had postoperative complications; postoperative infection occurred in 3 cases and malocclusion in 2 cases. These third molars in the line of mandibular fractures were retained when the mandibular fractures were treated.Our results suggest that it is not necessary to retain third molars in the line of mandibular fractures unless they are impacted and show no signs of luxation, as they do not participate in occlusion and because this region is prone to infection due to debris.