title: Comparison of Stability of Fracture Segments in Mandible Fracture Treated with Different Designs of Mini-Plates Using FEM Analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the displacement gap of mandible fracture segments treated with different designs of mini-plates under various loading conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fracture in the body of mandible was bridged with 15 different designs and configuration of titanium mini-plates. Bite forces were applied at 3 locations, ipsilateral fractured side, contra lateral side and incisor site. 3D finite element methods (FEM) model of mandible was generated using 10 nodal tetrahedral elements. A commercial FE solver was used to solve bone inter fragmentary displacement during loading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Superior position of mini-plates produced better stability than inferior position. Positive bending moments can be reduced by larger plate in lower border in 2 plate system. Results of X mini-plate are comparable to 2 plate configuration. If length of middle portion of plate increased, stability decreased. Number of screws did not affect fracture stability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Finite element methods analysis is used to determine the gap between mandible fragments which is otherwise impossible to measure clinically. The results obtained from this study offered us a choice of mini-plate design and configuration for clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S. Nijalingappa Institute of Dental Sciences, Sedam Road, Gulbarga, 585105 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Udupikrishna
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S. Nijalingappa Institute of Dental Sciences, Sedam Road, Gulbarga, 585105 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Manju
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurakar
keywords: Body of mandible fracture; Finite element method analysis; Osseointegration; Rigid fixation; Titanium mini-plates