Biomechanical evaluation of plating techniques for fixing mandibular angle fractures: the introduction of a new 3D plate approach.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the use of a three-dimensional (3D) square-shaped plate for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures.


METHODS
Synthetic mandible replicas were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the 3D square plate along with three other mandibular angle plating techniques. The plating techniques consisted of: (1) a 3D miniplate (2 x 2 holes, square, 2 mm); (2) a 3D miniplate (6 x 2 holes, curved, 2 mm); (3) two miniplates (four holes, straight, 2 mm and 1.6 mm); and (4) one single miniplate (four holes, straight, 2 mm). Each group was subjected to incisal and homolateral molar region loading by a tensile materials testing machine (Monsanto Tensometer 20). Load stiffness values and peak measurements of the fracture gap distraction at the superior aspect of the mandible were measured. The mean values (+/-standard deviation) were derived and compared using one-way analysis of variance, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.


RESULTS
For homolateral molar loading, statistically significant differences existed within groups (p < 0.05). For incisal edge loading, no statistically significant differences were found for stiffness among the fixation methods tested. Gap distraction at the superior aspect of the mandible was limited for three of the groups tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Under the conditions tested, the 3D square plate system provided the most favorable mechanical behavior.
Kalfarentzos
Evagelos F
EF
University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Greece. evagelosk@gmail.com
Deligianni
Despoina
D
Mitros
Georgios
G
Tyllianakis
Minos
M
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008904:Miniaturization; D018583:Pliability; D013718:Tensile Strength