Resumo

FERNANDES, Emerson Siqueira Pena et al. Prevalence of Mandibular Condylar Fractures associated with the Presence or Absence of the Lower Third Molar On Orthopantomographic Imaging. Rev. cir. traumatol. buco-maxilo-fac. [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.1, pp. 61-68. ISSN 1808-5210.

Objective: The study sets out to verify the prevalence of condylar fractures associated with the presence or absence of the lower third molar. The sample consisted of 86 orthopantomograms of patients with a condylar fracture from 516 reports and images. The survey covered the years 2003 to 2007. The data concerning the radiographic identification and clinical history of condylar fracture were evaluated and recorded. The panoramic radiographs of the maxillae existing in the files were assessed. The analysis of the latter was conducted using the IMAGE J software for obtaining the location and angulation of the lower third molar in accordance with the classifications of Pell & Gregory and Winter. Results: The lower thirdmolar was present in 69.8% of the mandibular condylar fractures; the presence of an erupted lower third molar was most influential in the three types of mandibular condylar fracture; the most commonly found condylar fracture was the subcondylar, followed by fracture of the neck and, to a lesser extent, fracture of the head of the mandibular condyle; the data demonstrate that for all three types of condylar fracture there is a closer relationship with the mesioangular position in the Winter classification; and, as regards the Pell & Gregory classification with fractures of the head of the mandibular condyle, there was an equal distribution of the A1, A2 and B3 positions, the other positions not being found in the sample; with relation to neck and subcondylar fractures, there was a closer relationship with position B2 of the Pell & Gregory classification. Conclusion: There were no statistically significant associations between the presence or absence of an impacted lower third molar or even its position and the existence of a condylar fracture.

Palavras-chave : Mandibular condyle; Third molar; Fracture.