Definitive treatment of mandibular fractures in young children

Abstract

Mandibular fractures in young children are difficult to treat by means of the standard procedures used in reduction and fixation of fractures in adults. Achieving stable intermaxillary fixation with arch bars or interdental wiring (for example, Ivy loops) is difficult because of the shape of the clinical crowns of the deciduous teeth. Open reductions are complicated by the presence of the permanent tooth buds. These procedures may be avoided by employing splinting techniques that make use of orthodontic bands and labial and lingual arch bars, or acrylic splints with circummandibular wires. Often, these splinting techniques provide adequate stability without intermaxillary fixation.