title: Retrospective Study on Efficacy of Intermaxillary Fixation Screws.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the efficacy of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screws in the treatment of mandibular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred patients with mandibular fractures, treated by IMF using these screws, were evaluated by pre and postoperative panoramic radiographs. Clinical testing was carried out for vitality and abnormal mobility of teeth adjacent to the site of screw insertions. Other factors such as possible iatrogenic dental injuries, loss, breakage or screw cover by oral mucosa and postoperative occlusion were also studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most important complication noticed was iatrogenic damage to dental roots.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of intraoral cortical bone screws for IMF is a valid alternative to arch bars in the treatment of mandibular fractures. Iatrogenic injury to dental roots is the commonest problem which can be minimized by an experienced surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), ADC (R&R) Delhi Cantt.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Sahoo
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head (Department of Dental Surgery). AFMC, Pune.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Director (E&S), O/o-DGDS, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.affiliation: Graded Specialist (Maxillofacial Surgery), MDC Jalandhar.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
keywords: Bone screws; Iatrogenic injury; Intermaxillary fixation; Mandibular fractures