Abstract
Introduction: The extraction of third molars is one of the most common procedures in dentistry, but that does not mean the risks and complications are uncommon. One of the complications of third molar extraction is a mandibular fracture. This study aimed to determine the incidence of mandibular fractures as a complication of lower third molar extraction from published literature. Methods: This rapid review was done in December 2020 until February 2021 towards articles in English reporting the incidence of mandibular fractures due to the extraction of lower third molars. The literature search referred to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) diagram, conducted without year restriction using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Selected articles met the criteria according to the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework. The articles were screened by checking for duplication, reading titles and abstracts, and reading full-text articles. Results: Eight articles with observational study design were included in this study, with 1.231 articles identified. The incidence of mandibular fractures as a complication of lower third molar extraction ranges between 0,0046%-3,03%. Fractures were more frequently found in male patients (n=42) rather than females (n=20), with a mean age over 39 years, incomplete dentition (n=31) rather than incomplete dentition (n=3), in full bony impaction (n=47) rather than partial bony impaction (n=14), and in horizontal (n=22) or vertical (n=20) angulation rather than mesioangular (n=13) or distoangular (n=6) angulation. Conclusion: Mandibular fractures resulting from the extraction of lower third molars are rare. The increase in cases was found in male patients over 39 years of age, with complete dentition, full bony impactions, and horizontal or vertical angulation.

Key words: mandibular fracture, tooth extraction, third molar, complication, incidence