Late mandibular fracture after third molar surgery: A survey of Connecticut oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Purpose: This study investigated the incidence and causative factors involved in late mandibular fractures after third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 106 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Connecticut, asking them about their experience with late fractures over a 10-year period. Results: A 79% response indicated 28 fractures occurring in 611,000 extractions, for an incidence of 0.0046%. The cause was found to be multifactorial and included age, gender, type of impaction, preexisting infection, and failure to maintain a soft diet in the postoperative period. Most fractures occurred between the Ist and 21st days postoperatively. Three of the fractures resulted in malpractice litigation. Conclusion: Men over the age of 25 years should be specifically informed about the risk of late mandible fracture after third molar surgery. This group of patients should be educated about the quality and duration of a soft diet. (C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.