title: Comparison of titanium and biodegradable miniplates for fixation of mandibular fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to compare the use of biodegradable miniplates and titanium miniplates for the fixation of mandibular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  BioSorb FX biodegradable plates and screws and titanium miniplates were used in 91 patients (65 males and 26 females; age range 11 to 69 years) for the treatment of mandibular fractures. The clinical and radiographic findings were recorded at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall complication rate was 4.41%. In the biodegradable plate group, infection occurred in 2 cases (4.26%) and was resolved by incision and drainage and antibiotics. In the titanium plate group, infection occurred in 1 case and plate fracture in 1 case (4.56%). The fractured plate was removed, and a new titanium miniplate was applied using a trocar. The infection was resolved with antibiotics. No adverse tissue reactions, malocclusions, or malunions occurred during the observation period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results have shown that the rate of morbidity is very low with the use of biodegradable plates and titanium plates, suggesting that biodegradable and titanium plates have the potential for successful use in the fixation of mandibular fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chosun University College of Dentistry, GwanJu City, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji-Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Su-Gwan
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hak-Kyun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Young-Kyun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Pil-Young
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Jun-Sik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Son
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters / Q000009:adverse effects; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D014025:Titanium