MAXILLOMANDIBULAR FIXATION USING ORTHODONTIC MINI-IMPLANTS IN MANAGEMENT OF MANDIBULAR FRACTURES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The use of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) in the treatment of maxillofacial trauma represents the cornerstone of fracture reduction and immobilization. Many modalities of IMF have been described. Recently, to overcome the cumbersome procedure of tooth borne appliances, miniimplants have been introduced into clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of using mini-implants for IMF for the treatment of mandibular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on ten patients with mandibular fractures. The diagnosis, duration of IMF, miniimplants site, bite force recovery, bone density around the fracture line and any associated complications were recorded. Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations were performed immediately, 3 and 6 months post-operatively until fracture healing was complete. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mini-implants for IMF has shown to be a useful and safe modality to establish maxillo-mandibular fixation following mandibular fractures.