Comparative Evaluation of Infection Rate according to Extraction of Teeth in the Line of Mandibular Angle Fractures Treated with Stable Internal Fixation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Mandibular angle fractures constitute approximately 30% of mandibular fractures, and the mandibular third molar is usually in line with the fracture. This study evaluated the relationship between the extraction of a tooth in line with a mandibular angle fracture and the infection rate.METHODS: One hundred and forty seven patients with mandibular angle fractures containing a tooth in line with the fracture from 2005 to 2008 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on an extraction, and the infection rates were evaluated in both groups.RESULTS: An extraction was performed in 70 patients (47.6%) and postoperative infections occurred in 14 patients (9.5%). Six (8.6%) of the 70 patients in the extraction group and 8 (10.4%) of the 77 patients in the non-extraction group had an infection. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.708).CONCLUSION: These results show that there is no increased risk of postoperative complications when a tooth is present.