title: Biomechanical Evaluation of Different Plating Methods Used in Mandibular Angle Fractures With 3-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis: Favorable Fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performances of 5 different plating techniques for fixation of favorable mandibular angle fractures using the 3-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five different miniplate placement configurations were considered for the fixation of favorable mandibular angle fractures. The following models were created: a double parallel miniplate (M1) placed at the halfway point of the mandibular angle height; a one-third superior-positioned miniplate (M2); a single miniplate (M3) placed at the halfway point of the mandibular angle height (one-half middle-positioned); a one-third inferior-positioned miniplate (M4); and an X-shape miniplate (M5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The M1 and M4 miniplates showed the lowest mechanical stress compared with the other configurations, whereas the M3 and M5 miniplates showed the highest stress levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For favorable mandibular angle fractures, the authors suggest the M1 miniplate or, if used alone, the M4 miniplate is adequate for rigid fixation.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Near East University, Nicosia Cyprus, Mersin, Turkey. Electronic address: aysaayali@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Aysa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayali
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erkmen
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*