Impacted tooth in mandibular fracture line: Treatment with closed reduction

Abstract

Purpose: Most mandibular fractures occur because of blunt trauma. In some cases, the mandible can be weakened by the presence of an unerupted or impacted tooth. The fate of this tooth in the fracture line and its effects on bone healing remain an important outcome event. Materials and Methods: In this study, we analyzed the records of 117 patients with a total of 121 fractures having an unerupted tooth remaining in the fracture line who were treated and followed by the Dental Faculty of Ankara University between 1986 and 1996. All were open fractures, and none of the patients had a history of an acute inflammatory episode related to the unerupted tooth before the injury. Intermaxillary fixation was used in all cases. Results: Three of the patients subsequently required open reduction with internal fixation. The unerupted tooth was not extracted in any patient. The fixation was maintained for an average of 45 days and followed up for 3 months. No complications were encountered. Conclusion: According to these results, we suggest that asymptomatic impacted teeth in the fracture line of uncomplicated mandible fractures do not cause delayed healing when treated with closed reduction. (C) 2004 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.