Conventional 2D miniplate versus 3D four-holed and eight-holed miniplates in the management of mandibular angle fractures

Comparison of bite force evaluation for mandibular angle fracture fixation by conventional miniplates versus new design miniplates: a clinical study

PURPOSE

To evaluate postoperative masticatory efficacy of a new design non-compression titanium miniplate compared to conventional non-compression titanium miniplate on the basis of bite force for treatment of mandibular angle fractures.

METHODOLOGY

The prospective study included 20 patients with mandibular angle fractures randomly categorized into 2 groups: Group I, fixation of angle fractures by conventional miniplates, and Group II, fixation of angle fractures by new design miniplates. Evaluation was done for clinical outcome, primarily bite force; radiological outcome; and associated postoperative morbidities at different time intervals.

RESULTS

The results showed to be highly significant in terms of mean operating time for plate adaptation and fixation and bite force adaptation (p = 0.003 at follow-up of 6 months) for the newer miniplate compared to the conventional miniplate. No statistically significant difference was seen for postoperative paresthesia, malunion, non-union, occlusal discrepancy, or hardware failure.

CONCLUSION

Within the limits of the study, it appears that the single, monocortical, non-compression, superior border new design miniplate proved to be a successful procedure for treating non-comminuted mandibular angle fractures specifically in terms of enhanced postoperative masticatory efficiency as compared to conventional miniplates. Further clinical studies with larger sample size can derive a more comprehensive conclusion.

Masticatory muscles activity in patients with mandibular angle fractures: A literature review on which procedure to use to reverse the best masticatory muscles functionality

Introduction

Mandible is the first or the second most fractured bone of facial skeleton. Fractures of the angle account for 23-43% of all mandibular fractures. Soft and hard tissue are affected in a traumatized mandible. Bite forces are an essential factor in masticatory muscles activity. An improved function is a result of improvement in the bite force.

Aim

The objective of this research was to conduct a systematic review of all available literature regarding the masticatory muscles' activity and bite forces in patients with mandibular angle fractures.

Methods

PubMed, and Google Scholar databases have been searched with the following keywords: "mandibular angle fractures" AND "bite forces "OR "masticatory muscles activity".

Results

This research methodology provided 402 articles. Of which 33 were selected for analysis if they were pertinent to the topic. Then only 10 results have been identified and included in this review.

Conclusions

We can conclude that bite force decreased significantly after trauma, specifically during the first month after injury, and then increases gradually over time. More randomized clinical trial studies and the incorporation of more methods such as electromyography (EMG) for measuring the electrical activity of muscles and bite force recorder could be considered in the future.