Considerations of intermaxillary fixation methods in the management of mandibular fractures

ABSTRACT

methods for the treatment of mandibular fractures include intermaxillary-fixation (IMF) for obtaining temporary intraoperative occlusion. Traditionally IMF has been achieved with arch-bars or interdental eyelet wiring. However, these techniques are time-consuming procedures, can produce periodontal damage, and are not well tolerated by the patient even under local anesthesia. Moreover, daily maintenance of oral hygiene is difficult for patients with an arch bar. Recently, intermaxillary fixation using intraoral skeletal anchorage screws (SAS) has been introduced for the treatment of mandibular fractures. This method solves the problems above, but they have the potential for tooth damage, screw fractures and intraoperative occlusal instability. In this study, patients with mandiblular fractures were divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated by IMF using archbars(both maxilla and mandible), Group 2 was treated with SAS (maxilla) and arch-bar (mandible), Group 3 was treated with SAS (both maxilla and mandible). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the different IMF methods on periodontal tissue health and intraoperative occlusal rehabilitation about each groups, and to discuss the most favorable IMF method.