Comparative evaluation of bite forces in patients after treatment of mandibular fractures with miniplate osteosynthesis and internal locking miniplate osteosynthesis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to compare the stability of fractured mandibular fragments under functional load, when fixed with conventional miniplate and internal locking miniplate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bite force (in kg) recorded in twenty mandible fractured patients and fifty normal healthy individuals. Bite force was measured at incisor and molar regions. Comparative evaluation of bite force generated was performed between 10 cases treated with conventional miniplates and 10 cases treated with internal locking miniplates. Bite force generated by patients in mandibular fracture between symphysis and the angle of mandible was recorded in incisor and molar regions preoperatively. The fracture fragments were fixed using the above fixation techniques. Then same recording was undertaken on the 7(th), 14(th), 21(st), 28(th), and 90(th) days postoperatively. RESULTS: Bite force generated by patients treated with locking plates at the 7(th), 14(th), 21(st), 28(th), and 90(th) postoperative days was significantly higher as compared to those in patients treated with miniplates. CONCLUSION: It was observed in our study that the locking plate/screw system offers significant advantages over the conventional plating system. There are no intraoperative difficulties associated with placement of the plate.