A Comparative Evaluation of 2.0mm Two-Dimensional Miniplates Versus 2.0mm Three-Dimensional Miniplates in Mandibular Fractures

Background: In the past few decades, there has been an increasing interest in obtaining a more instantaneous return to normal function using diverse methods of direct fixation. Aims and Objectives: To compare the conventional 2-mm 2D (two-dimensional) miniplates and 2-mm 3D (three-dimensional) miniplates in terms of treatment outcome, stability, duration of surgery, and complications of treatment of symphysis and parasymphysis mandibular fractures. Materials and Methods: 16 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of fractures of the mandible in symphysis and parasymphysis areas treated by open reduction and internal fixation with 2D miniplates and 3D miniplates. The patients were followed up for three months and assessed clinically and radiographically by taking orthopantomograms. The assessment was made on the immediate postoperative day, third day, fifth day, the seventh day, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, two months, and three months. Results: Mean intraoperative time taken for 2D miniplate was 54.8 min and for 3D miniplate was 40.6 min. Mild paraesthesia at the soft tissue region supplied by mental nerve was noticed in two patients (25%) of group I, whereas there was no such paraesthesia observed in group II patients. Wound dehiscence and infection were noticed in one patient in group I. Conclusion: 3D plates seem to be better than conventional 2-mm miniplates for symphysis and parasymphysis fractures.