[A tooth located in a mandibular fracture line. Treatment by oral- and maxillofacial surgeons in The Netherlands]

Abstract

Mandibular fractures are among the most common facial bone injuries. Approximately 50% of the fractures occur in teeth bearing areas. Consequently, the likelihood that a tooth will be in the fracture line is substantial. A review of the literature reveals that there is not a clear guideline for preserving or removing a tooth in a mandibular fracture line. By means of a questionnaire, information was collected about how dental surgeons in The Netherlands deal with this problem. The research sample consisted of 194 active oral and maxillofacial surgeons in The Netherlands in 2005. One hundred and two surgeons responded (52.6%). The response rate was sufficient to allow for reliable deductions and statistical analysis. The results of the questionnaire showed that the respondents were in agreement. Generally, the respondents strove to preserve a tooth in the mandibular fracture line. The respondent's treatment of a mandibular fracture was in agreement with the state of the art as presented in the current literature. The respondent's choice of treatment did not depend on age, gender, university clinic at which the respondent was trained to be a dental surgeon, year of registration as a specialist, place of work and position. According to the respondents, the dentist's role in the aftercare of a mandibular fracture is treatment of the teeth injuries, follow-up of the posttraumatic oral self care, and regularly testing the vitality of the teeth in and around the mandibular fracture line.