Morbidity of teeth in mandibular fracture linesA retrospective study

Background/AimTeeth in mandibular fracture lines are common in maxillofacial trauma, but their retention or extraction is a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to retaining or extracting teeth situated in mandibular fracture lines and to decide the best treatment option. MethodsThe study included 115 patients with a single mandibular fracture that had a tooth in the line of fracture. All patients were evaluated for complications and pulp status. Patient distribution was analysed according to the complications that occurred. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 software. ResultsThere were significant effects of tooth type and tooth location on the occurrence of complications. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of complications between the retained teeth group and the extracted teeth group irrespective of age and gender in adult patients. There were significant differences in treatment procedures between the retained teeth group and the extracted teeth group. ConclusionMandibular anterior teeth involved in the fracture line should be retained, while in the mandibular angle area, they should be extracted because retaining teeth in this region increases the predictability of complications. There is no role of pulp testing in the assessment of pulp status, but root canal treatment of retained teeth helps to reduce the occurrence of complications.