title: Evaluation of the rigidity of sagittal split ramus osteotomy fixation using four designs of biodegradable and titanium plates--a numerical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to determine the best design of biodegradable plates for providing rigidity when used for fixation of sagittal split ramus osteotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A computerized tomography image of a patient was used to generate a 3D model of a hemi-mandible. Four plate designs were merged with the hemi-mandible. They were (1) straight plate, (2) double straight plate, (3) T-shaped plate, and (4) double Y-shaped plate. Four finite element models were analyzed using the properties of biodegradable materials for the plates, and four additional models were analyzed using titanium alloy properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The models predicted that rigidity of fixation would be noticeably less among biodegradable plates than titanium plates. They also predicted that the most rigid design among the titanium plates would be the straight plate, but among the biodegradable plates, it would be the double Y-shaped plate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The double Y-shaped design is recommended when using biodegradable plates in fixation of sagittal split ramus osteotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Safieh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albougha
authors.forename: Mhd Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Albogha
authors.forename: Mhd Ayham
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Darwich
authors.forename: Khaldoun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Darwich
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D004867:Equipment Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D003765:Models, Dental; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium