title: Radiographic changes during bone healing after mandibular fractures.
abstract: The study aimed to find out the best time to undertake radiological follow-up examinations and remove fixation materials after fractures of the mandible through a retrospective study of radiographs. Serial radiographs of 325 fracture sites in 231 patients over a 10-year period were examined. Outcome was measured by radiographic features of healing at less than 2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4 or more months. Osteogenic change (osteogenesis and union) was the best radiographic criterion for evaluating follow-up radiographs. This change started to predominate 1-2 months after injury in patients less than 18 years of age (21/31, 68%) and 2-3 months after injury in older patients (21/25, 84%). Overall, union was noted in 98 of 115 patients (85%) 3 months or more after the fracture. We recommend follow-up radiographic examination to confirm clinical judgement during the fifth week after a mandibular fracture in patients less than 18 years of age, and the ninth week for older patients. The fixation materials should be removed during the fifth month after injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, Suita, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hiranuma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakuda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome