title: Self-tapping and self-drilling screws for intermaxillary fixation in management of mandibular fractures.
abstract: The current study evaluated the success and the possible complication of intermaxillary fixation with self-tapping and self-drilling screws (STSDSs) in nondislocated or slightly dislocated mandibular fractures.Forty patients with mandibular fractures, treated with intermaxillary fixation using STSDSs, were clinically assessed by means of a dental vitality test and evaluation of tooth mobility adjacent to the cortical screw holes, and radiologically by means of a panoramic dental radiograph upon removal of the screws.The main complication was screw loss in 4.4% of cases, followed by coverage by oral mucosa in 1.2% of cases. However, no dental root damage, screw breakage, malocclusion, or poor consolidation of mandibular fractures was observed.The use of STSDSs for intermaxillary fixation is a useful alternative to the use of arch bars in the treatment of some types of mandibular fractures. In addition, there is no risk of dental lesions as with self-tapping screws.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Turin, Italy. Fabio.Roccia@poste.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roccia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallesio
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D001864:Bone Wires; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014025:Titanium; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000209:etiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium