Functional Rehabilitation after Mandibular Fracture - A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of functional rehabilitation in terms of mouth opening, quality of life, healing process, occlusion and dysfunction, between different treatment methods, after condylar fractures, based on the current literature. METHODS: Using the PRISMA guidelines in search of clinical trials published between 2011 and 2021, a literature analysis was performed. This search was conducted using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms: rehabilitation OR mouth opening recovery OR function recovery AND mandibular fracture OR condylar fracture. RESULTS: The literature search resulted in a total of 110 study articles, of which seven publications were used in the present review, according to a selection based on the pre-established eligibility criteria. The review showed that open reduction resulted in a better three-dimensional recovery of mandibular movements and revealed greater results regarding the absence of the symptoms after applied treatment. However, studies assessing closed reduction, especially performed with intermaxillary fixation screws (IMFS), revealed excellent results in terms of quality of life, mouth opening and occlusal parameters. DISCUSSION: This systematic literature review showed that open reduction resulted in a better three-dimensional recovery of mandibular movements and showed greater results regarding the absence of symptoms. However, studies assessing CR, especially those performed with IMFS, revealed excellent results in terms of quality of life, mouth opening and occlusal parameters.